<p>The Houston Astros have not been good at home as of late.</p>
<p></p>
<p>They&#8217;ve gone 1-12 in their last 13 at Minute Maid Park, and are coming off a season-opening series at home in which they got swept in four games by the New York Yankees. Needless to say, they&#8217;re going to be hungry with the Toronto Blue Jays coming to town.</p>
<p>The good news for the visitors, however, is they&#8217;re coming off a big series against the Tampa Bay Rays at the Trop. Last season the Jays struggled in intradivision play, going 21-31 against AL East opponents, so to start the year off with a split against the Rays is a strong way to start the season outscoring them 20-17.</p>
<p>What also helps the Jays is that Houston is sending Ronel Blanco to the mound. He got lit up last season with a 4.50 ERA and 5.99 FIP, and even though he threw 15 and two-thirds Spring Training innings this year in which he didn&#8217;t allow a run, it was largely against AA and AAA talent. Facing an MLB squad is a much different task, and one the 30-year-old has struggled with over two seasons.</p>
<p>The Jays, meanwhile, will send swingman Bowden Francis to the mound coming off an excellent 2023 season, and a strong Spring Training of his own. He&#8217;s going to play an important role this season sticking in the rotation, or being an important arm out of the bullpen.</p>
<p>Games at Minute Maid have been tough for the Jays in recent years, as over the last two seasons they&#8217;re 3-3 there with a -11 run differential. A strong three-game set this week could help change that tide.</p>
<hr />
<p><strong>First pitch:</strong> 8:10 p.m. EST. TV &amp; Radio: Sportsnet.</p>
<p><strong>Weather: </strong>N/A.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.betano.ca/sport/baseball/north-america/mlb/1662r/"><strong>Odds via Betano:</strong></a></p>
<p>Moneyline: TOR +125; HOU -139.<br />
Spread: TOR +1.5 -167; HOU -1.5 +137.<br />
Over/Under: o9.5 +105; u9.5 -128.</p>
<p><em>*Odds available at the time of writing. Odds subject to change.</em></p>
<h2><strong>Starting pitchers (2023 statistics):</strong></h2>
<table style="width: 579px">
<thead>
<tr>
<th class="align-left fixed " style="width: 118px;text-align: center" data-col="0" data-col-id="Name" data-stat="Name">Name</th>
<th class="align-left " style="width: 50px;text-align: center" data-col="1" data-col-id="Team" data-stat="Team">Team</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 27px;text-align: center" data-col="2" data-col-id="GS" data-stat="GS">GS</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 22px;text-align: center" data-col="3" data-col-id="W" data-stat="W">W</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 15px;text-align: center" data-col="4" data-col-id="L" data-stat="L">L</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 36px;text-align: center" data-col="5" data-col-id="IP" data-stat="IP">IP</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 40px;text-align: center" data-col="6" data-col-id="ERA" data-stat="ERA">ERA</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 50px;text-align: center" data-col="7" data-col-id="xERA" data-stat="xERA">xERA</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 47px;text-align: center" data-col="8" data-col-id="ERA-" data-stat="ERA-">ERA-</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 36px;text-align: center" data-col="9" data-col-id="FIP" data-stat="FIP">FIP</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 55px;text-align: center" data-col="10" data-col-id="WHIP" data-stat="WHIP">WHIP</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 37px;text-align: center" data-col="11" data-col-id="K/9" data-stat="K/9">K/9</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 46px;text-align: center" data-col="12" data-col-id="BB/9" data-stat="BB/9">BB/9</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="">
<td class="align-left fixed" style="width: 118px" data-col-id="Name" data-stat="Name">Bowden Francis</td>
<td class="align-left" style="width: 50px" data-col-id="Team" data-stat="Team">TOR</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 27px" data-col-id="GS" data-stat="GS">0</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 22px" data-col-id="W" data-stat="W">1</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 15px" data-col-id="L" data-stat="L">0</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 36px" data-col-id="IP" data-stat="IP">36.1</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 40px" data-col-id="ERA" data-stat="ERA">1.73</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 50px" data-col-id="xERA" data-stat="xERA">3.69</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 47px" data-col-id="ERA-" data-stat="ERA-">41</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 36px" data-col-id="FIP" data-stat="FIP">3.86</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 55px" data-col-id="WHIP" data-stat="WHIP">0.83</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 37px" data-col-id="K/9" data-stat="K/9">8.67</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 46px" data-col-id="BB/9" data-stat="BB/9">1.98</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="align-left fixed" style="width: 118px;text-align: center" data-col-id="Name" data-stat="Name">Ronel Blanco</td>
<td class="align-left" style="width: 50px;text-align: center" data-col-id="Team" data-stat="Team">HOU</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 27px;text-align: center" data-col-id="GS" data-stat="GS">7</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 22px;text-align: center" data-col-id="W" data-stat="W">2</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 15px;text-align: center" data-col-id="L" data-stat="L">1</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 36px;text-align: center" data-col-id="IP" data-stat="IP">52.0</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 40px;text-align: center" data-col-id="ERA" data-stat="ERA">4.50</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 50px;text-align: center" data-col-id="xERA" data-stat="xERA">5.13</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 47px;text-align: center" data-col-id="ERA-" data-stat="ERA-">106</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 36px;text-align: center" data-col-id="FIP" data-stat="FIP">5.99</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 55px;text-align: center" data-col-id="WHIP" data-stat="WHIP">1.48</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 37px;text-align: center" data-col-id="K/9" data-stat="K/9">9.00</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 46px;text-align: center" data-col-id="BB/9" data-stat="BB/9">4.85</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Lineups:</h2>
<p><strong>TORONTO:</strong></p>
<div class="starting-lineups__teams starting-lineups__teams--xs starting-lineups__teams--md starting-lineups__teams--lg">
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--home">
<li class="starting-lineups__player">TBA</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div class="starting-lineups__buttons starting-lineups__buttons--bottom">
<div class="p-button-group" role="group">
<div class="p-button p-button--regular starting-lineups__button"><strong>HOUSTON:</strong></div>
</div>
</div>
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--away">
<li>TBA</li>
</ol>
<h2 style="text-align: left">Need to bide the time until first pitch?</h2>
<p>Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio as the crew talks about all the happenings in Toronto and beyond.</p>
<p><iframe title="Spotify Embed: Blue Jays Nation Radio" style="border-radius: 12px" width="100%" height="152" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/show/00f5Twxj4i9KG1WXzdOiG1?go=1&#038;sp_cid=b3195c716641dffe5ac518f4b2755cdc&#038;utm_source=oembed&#038;utm_medium=desktop&#038;nd=1"></iframe></p>
<hr />
<p><i><span style="font-weight: 400">Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at</span></i> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/zjlaing"><span style="font-weight: 400">@zjlaing</span></a><i><span style="font-weight: 400">, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.</span></i></p>
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The Houston Astros have not been good at home as of late.



They've gone 1-12 in their last 13 at Minute Maid Park, and are coming off a season-opening series at home in which they got swept in four games by the New York Yankees. Needless to say, they're going to be hungry with the Toronto Blue Jays coming to town.

The good news for the visitors, however, is they're coming off a big series against the Tampa Bay Rays at the Trop. Last season the Jays struggled in intradivision play, going 21-31 against AL East opponents, so to start the year off with a split against the Rays is a strong way to start the season outscoring them 20-17.

What also helps the Jays is that Houston is sending Ronel Blanco to the mound. He got lit up last season with a 4.50 ERA and 5.99 FIP, and even though he threw 15 and two-thirds Spring Training innings this year in which he didn't allow a run, it was largely against AA and AAA talent. Facing an MLB squad is a much different task, and one the 30-year-old has struggled with over two seasons.

The Jays, meanwhile, will send swingman Bowden Francis to the mound coming off an excellent 2023 season, and a strong Spring Training of his own. He's going to play an important role this season sticking in the rotation, or being an important arm out of the bullpen.

Games at Minute Maid have been tough for the Jays in recent years, as over the last two seasons they're 3-3 there with a -11 run differential. A strong three-game set this week could help change that tide.

<hr />

<strong>First pitch:</strong> 8:10 p.m. EST. TV &amp; Radio: Sportsnet.

<strong>Weather: </strong>N/A.

<a href="https://www.betano.ca/sport/baseball/north-america/mlb/1662r/"><strong>Odds via Betano:</strong></a>

Moneyline: TOR +125; HOU -139.
Spread: TOR +1.5 -167; HOU -1.5 +137.
Over/Under: o9.5 +105; u9.5 -128.

<em>*Odds available at the time of writing. Odds subject to change.</em>
<h2><strong>Starting pitchers (2023 statistics):</strong></h2>
<table style="width: 579px">
<thead>
<tr>
<th class="align-left fixed " style="width: 118px;text-align: center" data-col="0" data-col-id="Name" data-stat="Name">Name</th>
<th class="align-left " style="width: 50px;text-align: center" data-col="1" data-col-id="Team" data-stat="Team">Team</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 27px;text-align: center" data-col="2" data-col-id="GS" data-stat="GS">GS
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 22px;text-align: center" data-col="3" data-col-id="W" data-stat="W">W
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 15px;text-align: center" data-col="4" data-col-id="L" data-stat="L">L
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 36px;text-align: center" data-col="5" data-col-id="IP" data-stat="IP">IP
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 40px;text-align: center" data-col="6" data-col-id="ERA" data-stat="ERA">ERA
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 50px;text-align: center" data-col="7" data-col-id="xERA" data-stat="xERA">xERA
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 47px;text-align: center" data-col="8" data-col-id="ERA-" data-stat="ERA-">ERA-
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 36px;text-align: center" data-col="9" data-col-id="FIP" data-stat="FIP">FIP
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 55px;text-align: center" data-col="10" data-col-id="WHIP" data-stat="WHIP">WHIP
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 37px;text-align: center" data-col="11" data-col-id="K/9" data-stat="K/9">K/9
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 46px;text-align: center" data-col="12" data-col-id="BB/9" data-stat="BB/9">BB/9
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="">
<td class="align-left fixed" style="width: 118px" data-col-id="Name" data-stat="Name">Bowden Francis</td>
<td class="align-left" style="width: 50px" data-col-id="Team" data-stat="Team">TOR</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 27px" data-col-id="GS" data-stat="GS">0</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 22px" data-col-id="W" data-stat="W">1</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 15px" data-col-id="L" data-stat="L">0</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 36px" data-col-id="IP" data-stat="IP">36.1</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 40px" data-col-id="ERA" data-stat="ERA">1.73</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 50px" data-col-id="xERA" data-stat="xERA">3.69</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 47px" data-col-id="ERA-" data-stat="ERA-">41</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 36px" data-col-id="FIP" data-stat="FIP">3.86</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 55px" data-col-id="WHIP" data-stat="WHIP">0.83</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 37px" data-col-id="K/9" data-stat="K/9">8.67</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 46px" data-col-id="BB/9" data-stat="BB/9">1.98</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="align-left fixed" style="width: 118px;text-align: center" data-col-id="Name" data-stat="Name">Ronel Blanco</td>
<td class="align-left" style="width: 50px;text-align: center" data-col-id="Team" data-stat="Team">HOU</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 27px;text-align: center" data-col-id="GS" data-stat="GS">7</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 22px;text-align: center" data-col-id="W" data-stat="W">2</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 15px;text-align: center" data-col-id="L" data-stat="L">1</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 36px;text-align: center" data-col-id="IP" data-stat="IP">52.0</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 40px;text-align: center" data-col-id="ERA" data-stat="ERA">4.50</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 50px;text-align: center" data-col-id="xERA" data-stat="xERA">5.13</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 47px;text-align: center" data-col-id="ERA-" data-stat="ERA-">106</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 36px;text-align: center" data-col-id="FIP" data-stat="FIP">5.99</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 55px;text-align: center" data-col-id="WHIP" data-stat="WHIP">1.48</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 37px;text-align: center" data-col-id="K/9" data-stat="K/9">9.00</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 46px;text-align: center" data-col-id="BB/9" data-stat="BB/9">4.85</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Lineups:</h2>
<strong>TORONTO:</strong>
<div class="starting-lineups__teams starting-lineups__teams--xs starting-lineups__teams--md starting-lineups__teams--lg">
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--home">
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player">TBA</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div class="starting-lineups__buttons starting-lineups__buttons--bottom">
<div class="p-button-group" role="group">
<div class="p-button p-button--regular starting-lineups__button"><strong>HOUSTON:</strong></div>
</div>
</div>
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--away">
 	<li>TBA</li>
</ol>
<h2 style="text-align: left">Need to bide the time until first pitch?</h2>
Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio as the crew talks about all the happenings in Toronto and beyond.

https://open.spotify.com/show/00f5Twxj4i9KG1WXzdOiG1?go=1&amp;sp_cid=b3195c716641dffe5ac518f4b2755cdc&amp;utm_source=embed_player_p&amp;utm_medium=desktop&amp;nd=1

<hr />

<i><span style="font-weight: 400">Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at</span></i> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/zjlaing"><span style="font-weight: 400">@zjlaing</span></a><i><span style="font-weight: 400">, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.</span></i>

<hr />

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GDB 5.0: With Astros reeling off season-opening sweep, Toronto Blue Jays look to pounce

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (68) reacts after striking out the side against the Detroit Tigers in the fifth inning during game five of the ALDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at T-Mobile Park.

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