Astros at Blue Jays
A visit from the punchless Houston Astros was all the Toronto Blue Jays needed to erase the memory of a dreadful effort against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Visiting Houston looks for revenge - and offense - as the teams resume their four-game series Friday evening at the Rogers Centre. Toronto opened the set in style, riding a complete-game two-hitter from Mark Buehrle to a 4-0 victory.
Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey will try to repeat the feat Friday - and he may have to, with the Blue Jays struggling to provide much offense for him over the past two weeks. The Astros counter with fellow right-hander Jordan Lyles, who is also slumping after opening the year as one of his club's best starters. The Astros managed just a single and a double Thursday night and are a major league-worst minus-156 in run differential.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, CSN (Houston), RSN (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Jordan Lyles (4-4, 4.78 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH R.A. Dickey (8-11, 4.75)
Lyles was one of Houston's biggest early-season surprises but has cooled of late, going 0-3 with an 8.31 ERA over his last five starts. He was throttled last time out against Seattle, surrendering 10 runs (nine earned) on eight hits over four innings. "It snowballed," he told reporters after the game. "From the get-go, I was missing around the zone. I wasn't hitting targets. I was just a little bit off."
Dickey has also dropped three straight decisions, though the defending National League Cy Young Award winner probably deserved a better fate. Toronto has scored just five runs for Dickey in that span, leaving the one-time 20-game winner tied for second in the American League in losses. Dickey has fared well in his career against Houston, going 2-2 with a 3.50 ERA in 43 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. 1B Brett Wallace has the most experience against Dickey of any Houston hitter, going 4-of-14 lifetime.
2. Dickey's 5.84 home ERA is the worst in the American League among pitchers with at least 10 starts in their own stadium.
3. The Astros have been caught stealing a league-high 32 times.
PREDICTION: Blue Jays 7, Astros 2