Game Threat: Jays (60-47) @ Astros (56-50)

Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

The Jays aren’t going to get swept by the Astros in Houston this week! Last night’s victory assured that — and it’s no small thing. Heading into last night’s game the Jays had lost eight straight in Houston, counting Monday’s loss, a four-game sweep in May of last season, and the three games that the lost (following a game-one win) in the 2014 series there that spanned the July 31st trade deadline (which you’ll remember because Jose Bautista and Casey Janssen were notably upset that the club didn’t do more to improve).

It’s a new era of Blue Jays baseball in Houston, in other words. So… let’s do this?

Sure. Why not?

Troy Tulowitzki once again isn’t in the lineup for the Jays tonight, but that’s not as bad as it sounds: he’ll play for sure tomorrow. Or, y’know, as sure as the Jays get — which, apparently, isn’t very sure sometimes these days!

Marco Estrada gets the start tonight for the Jays, and if you needed proof that his back is still hurting him, Alykhan Ravjiani tweets that his fastball velocity is down to 87.2 over his last three starts, from 88.4 over his previous 15.

An alternative to the six man rotation post I wrote earlier is, of course, maybe having Estrada take a couple weeks off, then moving Aaron Sanchez to the bullpen on his return. Meh.

TV: Sportsnet
Next Game(s): Tomorrow @ Houston, 8:10 PM ET
AL East Standings: BAL (-), TOR (1), BOS (2), NYY (6.0), TBR (18.0)
And now, the lineups…

Devon Travis(R) 2B

Jose Bautista(R) RF

Josh Donaldson(R) 3B

Edwin Encarnacion(R) 1B

Michael Saunders(L) DH

Russell Martin(R) C

Melvin Upton Jr.(R) LF

Kevin Pillar(R) CF

Darwin Barney(R) SS

Marco Estrada RHP

George Springer(R) DH

Marwin Gonzalez(S) 3B

Jose Altuve(R) 2B

Carlos Correa(R) SS

Colby Rasmus(L) RF

Evan Gattis(R) C

Preston Tucker(L) LF

A.J. Reed(L) 1B

Jake Marisnick(R) CF

Colin McHugh RHP