The Toronto Blue Jays Did The Thing in more ways than one on Tuesday by not only sending Alek Manoah to Dunedin to work on his game, but also by beating the snot out of the Houston Astros.

For the Jays, it was a game they desperately needed to help get the sour taste of Monday’s stinker out of their mouths. Manoah had opened the series Monday by recording just one out and allowing six runs before being yanked.

Jay Jackson slid in and stabilized the game also helping keep the Jays’ bullpen relatively unscathed. And last night? Boy, what a treat.

Kevin Gausman put together as good of a performance as he has in a Blue Jays uniform improving his numbers to a 2.63 ERA, 2.30 FIP and 12.4 K/9 — all numbers that are career highs for the journeyman.

Tonight, it will be Chris Bassitt looking to carry the momentum forward on a night where the Jays have a very favourable matchup. The Astros, who feature a right-handed heavy lineup, could have some issues against Bassitt tonight, who has allowed a .248 wOBA to right-handed batters over the last two seasons.

On the other side, it’s righty Ronel Blanco — who has recently been converted from a reliever to a starter — taking the mound for the Astros, whose wOBA to righty over the last two years is a staggering .458. The Blue Jays will look to tee off and have a great chance of getting to Blacno tonight.

First pitch: 7:07 p.m. EST

Weather: 21C. The roof is covered tonight due to the wildfire smoke, according to the Jays.

Toronto Blue Jays: 34-28, 9.5 GB, 2.0 WCGB, +28 DIFF.

Houston Astros: 36-25, 4.5 GB, +0.5 WCGB, +61 DIFF.

Moneyline: TOR -143; HOU +135.

TOR: Chris Bassitt RHP — 6-4, 12 GS, 47 IP. 3.41 ERA, 4.80 FIP, 1.068 WHIP, 79 K/9, 0.7 bWAR.

HOU: Ronel Blanco RHP — 1-0, 10 GP, 1 GS, 17.1 IP. 4.15 ERA, 4.26 FIP, 1.904 WHIP, 10.9 K/9, -0.1 bWAR.

Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio as the crew talks about the Jays’ latest series against the New York Mets.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.

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