The Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros wrap up their three-game series on Wednesday night in Houston. The Jays and Astros both qualified for the 2022 postseason and each is equipped to make a return trip in 2023. The pitching matchup for the series finale pits Blue Jays' righty Jose Berrios (1-2, 7.98) taking on Astros' righty Luis Garcia (0-2, 7.71). The opening pitch is scheduled for 8:10 PM EST.
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With the Rays romping out of the gate with 13 straight wins and the specter of the New York Yankees always looming, there is little room for error in the American League East. The Toronto Blue Jays hope this is the year that it all comes together for one of baseball's strongest rosters. After winning five of six games, including two straight over the Rays, the Blue Jays dropped two in a row including a 9-2 loss to the Astros on Monday night to kick off this series. Blue Jays' starter Kevin Gausman gave up seven earned runs on seven hits in just 4.2 innings of work. On Tuesday night, the Blue Jays got home runs from Vlad Guerrero Jr and Matt Chapman and 6.1 shutout innings from starter Chris Bassitt in a 4-2 victory.
The friendship between George and Varsh ?? #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/SjeTfRUvkx
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 18, 2023
Toronto will send the struggling Jose Berrios to the mound in the series finale on Wednesday night. Berrios is just 1-2 with a 6.98 ERA this season but is coming off of his best performance of the young season. On Friday night, Berrios went five innings and allowed four hits and just one run to pick up the win over Tampa Bay. Berrios struck out six and didn't walk a batter. In his first two starts of the season, Berrios allowed 15 hits and 12 earned runs in just 12.1 innings pitched. In 2022, Berrios made one start against the Astros and picked up the win after allowing one run on seven hits in 5.2 innings of work while striking out five and walking two batters.
Key Injuries: Closer Jordan Romano is day-to-day after being struck on the arm with a lined drive over the weekend.