Blue Jays at Astros
Alex Bregman aims to continue his power-filled month when the Houston Astros conclude their three-game series on against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday. Bregman is 6-for-9 with two homers in the set and matched his career high of four hits on Tuesday as Houston rolled to a 7-0 victory.
Bregman has recorded eight homers and 24 RBIs in June and shared the hero's role with Jake Marisnick as the part-time starter made a stellar defensive catch and later belted a two-run homer. "The biggest thing is not to use it as an excuse," the .187-hitting Marisnick said in a postgame television interview of his platoon role. "Using that as motivation, 'Hey, I want to be an everyday player.' Stay positive with yourself is the biggest thing." Toronto recorded just five hits while being blanked on Tuesday as the lineup combined for 15 strikeouts, including three apiece for Curtis Granderson and Teoscar Hernandez. The Blue Jays had their three-game road winning streak halted, falling to 3-3 on a seven-game trip that concludes Wednesday.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, Sportsnet (Toronto), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (4-7, 4.48 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (4-8, 3.90)
Estrada was a hard-luck loser in his last outing as he gave up two runs and three hits over seven innings against the Los Angeles Angels. The 34-year-old has put together four consecutive solid efforts, going 2-1 with a 1.75 ERA during the stretch. Estrada is 2-0 with a 2.96 ERA in 12 career appearances (six starts) against Houston and has experienced issues with Brian McCann (10-for-33).
Keuchel settled for a no-decision against Kansas City in his last turn, when he scattered six hits over six scoreless innings. The 30-year-old hasn't allowed an earned run over 12 innings in his last two turns after giving up 16 in as many frames over his previous three outings. Keuchel is 3-0 with a 3.62 ERA in four career starts against the Blue Jays and has dominated Steve Pearce (2-for-17, homer, 10 strikeouts) and Justin Smoak (1-for-9).
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros OF George Springer is 1-for-10 in the series and 4-for-45 over his last 11 games.
2. Toronto 3B Josh Donaldson (calf) suffered a setback Tuesday prior to a scheduled rehab game and will be re-evaluated in three weeks.
3. Houston SS Carlos Correa (back) was held out of Tuesday's contest but is expected back for the finale.