The Toronto Blue Jays blew a chance to win a series against an American League West team this past weekend.

For the second time all season, the Jays lost a series as they dropped two of three to the Seattle Mariners. What makes matters worse is that they failed to hit a home run in the series, relying heavily on small ball while the Mariners blasted home runs in the final two games of the series.

They’ll face another American League West team in their next game, a three-game series against the Houston Astros starting on Monday. The last time they played a series in Houston, Ronel Blanco no-hit them on April 1, 2024. It was the earliest no-hitter on the season schedule and the 17th no-hitter in Astros’ history (the Blue Jays have just one no-hitter). The Astros took that game 10-0.

Still, the Jays were able to avoid the sweep, winning the second game of the series 2-1 thanks to a clutch home run from Davis Schenider, before falling 8-0 in the rubber match.

Kevin Guasman gets the start for the Blue Jays. In his last start, he pitched six innings, giving up two earned runs and striking out six. It was his third quality start in four starts.

As for the lineup, the top three remain the same – Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Anthony Santander. George Springer is moving up to the cleanup spot, while Andrés Giménez shifts down a spot. Alejandro Kirk, Ernie Clement, Alan Roden, and Myles Straw make up the bottom four in the lineup.

Let’s set up Monday’s game!

Toronto Blue Jays – Kevin Gausman: 2-1 record, 2.49 ERA, 25.1 IP, 20 SO, 3 BB

Houston Astros – Hunter Brown: 2-1 record, 1.50 ERA, 24 IP, 22 SO, 5 BB