PREMIUM
Rogers' Early Annihilation - 102-75-1 Win Streak!
(MLB) Houston vs. Toronto,
Money Line: -153.00 Toronto (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -153.00 Toronto (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Astros were one of MLB's biggest surprises last season, earning a wild card berth by winning 86 games. They beat the Yanks in that one-game playoff and then lost in the ALDS to KC (no shame, as the Royals captured the World Series). However, the team's "encore season" has been a struggle, after a slower than expected start. Houston opened its its three-game series at Toronto with a 5-3 win last night, giving them team four consecutive wins following a stretch in which the Astros had lost six of seven. Houston remains 7 1/2 games back in the AL West but is one of three teams within two games of the AL's final wild card spot. The loss dropped Toronto a half-game back of Baltimore in the AL East but the Jays are two games ahead of Boston for the top wild card spot, 3 1/2 games clear of the postseason ‘cut line.'
The pitching matchup: Collin McHugh (7-9, 4.69 ERA) takes the mound for the Astros and Aaron Sanchez (11-2, 2.85 ERA) does so for the Blue Jays. Joe Musgrove gave Houston a much-needed lift with seven strong innings last night (allowed just one run), in earning his first-ever major league win in his third career start. Houston could use another start like that from McHugh. He comes in with a three-game losing streak but has allowed three or fewer ERs in nine of his last 10 starts. He'll face a tough opponent in Sanchez, who is coming off his first loss since April 22 last Saturday at Kansas City. He allowed four ERs on nine in six innings of a 4-2 defeat. He had not allowed more than two runs in his previous eight starts, a span in which he went 5-0 with a 1.67 ERA.
The pick: Note that in the above eight-start stretch just referred to, the Blue Jays lost all three of Sanchez's no decisions, which means the team is a modest 5-4 over his last nine starts. Toronto is concerned about his work load. Sanchez has pitched a career-high 145 1/3 innings this season (previous high was 133 1/3) and, initially, the Blue Jays wanted to put him in the bullpen to control his innings. However, they've instead gone to a six-man rotation and with a day off in the schedule this past Thursday, Sanchez will be pitching on six days' rest against the Astros (is he out of rhythm?). That's good news and the season Toronto is an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: Collin McHugh (7-9, 4.69 ERA) takes the mound for the Astros and Aaron Sanchez (11-2, 2.85 ERA) does so for the Blue Jays. Joe Musgrove gave Houston a much-needed lift with seven strong innings last night (allowed just one run), in earning his first-ever major league win in his third career start. Houston could use another start like that from McHugh. He comes in with a three-game losing streak but has allowed three or fewer ERs in nine of his last 10 starts. He'll face a tough opponent in Sanchez, who is coming off his first loss since April 22 last Saturday at Kansas City. He allowed four ERs on nine in six innings of a 4-2 defeat. He had not allowed more than two runs in his previous eight starts, a span in which he went 5-0 with a 1.67 ERA.
The pick: Note that in the above eight-start stretch just referred to, the Blue Jays lost all three of Sanchez's no decisions, which means the team is a modest 5-4 over his last nine starts. Toronto is concerned about his work load. Sanchez has pitched a career-high 145 1/3 innings this season (previous high was 133 1/3) and, initially, the Blue Jays wanted to put him in the bullpen to control his innings. However, they've instead gone to a six-man rotation and with a day off in the schedule this past Thursday, Sanchez will be pitching on six days' rest against the Astros (is he out of rhythm?). That's good news and the season Toronto is an 8* play.
