2 min read • April 22, 2022
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The AL East leading Toronto Blue Jays head into Houston, opening up a three-game series with the Astros, who have lost their last two games. Both squads have significant injury issues heading into the weekend.
The baseball team up north loaded up in the offseason wheeling and dealing to acquire top talents like SP Jose Berrios, SP Kevin Gausman and 3B Matt Chapman. This has culminated into 8-5 record early on and contributed to a league-leading 16 home runs (tied with Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels.)
Most of that has been without OF Teoscar Hernandez, who has been out since April 13 with an oblique strain. The Dominican national slugged a career-high 32 homers last season but the Jays have done well in his absence, receiving unlikely contributions from former White Sox C Zack Collins and big money basher George Springer with each bobbing 2 homers.
Springer himself is also dealing with a injury to his forearm but after sitting out of the starting lineup Thursday, the former Astro will likely start today after being able to pinch hit last night.
The Blue Jays will continue to play without former Cy Young winner Hyun-jin Ryu who is dealing with left forearm tightness and current sitting on the injured list. Ross Stripling has been inserted into the starting rotation due to his injury and will start tonight. In his lone start this season, Stripling pitched 4 innings and allowed just 2 hits versus the Oakland As.
The Houston ball club will continue their home-stand after dropping a three game series to the division rival Angels. The Astros are off to a topsy-turvy start, sitting at 6-6.
The most significant injury effecting the Astros is All-Star 2B Jose Altuve and his hamstring. The contact hitter left Monday after he legged out an infield single but fell after reaching base. He has since been placed on the 10-day IL leaving the Astros infield in flux with very few options to replace the star.
Aledmys Diaz and Niko Goodrum have each filled in to start at 2B but both are hitless in the two games without Altuve. Regardless of who starts, the Astros are limited on offense without him meaning core players like Alex Bregman and Michael Brantley will need to get on base at much higher rate.
Another star on IL is SP Lance McCullers who is nursing a flexor tendon strain but will be out much longer due to his recent transfer to the 60-day IL. Expect a mid-June return for the hard throwing starter.
Both squads are dealing with key injuries but the potential return of George Springer gives the Jays the slight health edge.
Injury-based Plays
Astros Team Total U4.5 - The Astros have combined for 2 runs in two games since Altuve initial injury, likely to struggle again tonight
Blue Jays ML (+146) - The Jays are playing well and hold the slight health advantage with the hopeful return of Springer, have played well through Ryu and Hernandez injuries
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