Blue Jays vs Astros: Tonight's Lineup - Series Finale Preview

Bowden Francis is on the mound this evening. Francis (2-2) earned the win in his last outing against the Mariners after allowing one run on five hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out five.

Other than a Rowdy Tellez solo home run in the second inning, the Mariners didn't have much of an answer for Francis on Friday.

The 28-year-old Francis was a popular 2025 breakout candidate in some fantasy circles before the season, as he boasted a 1.80 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 58:8 K:BB over his final 65 innings of 2024.

The right-hander is off to a fine start this year with a 3.13 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB through 23 innings.

Francis has given up five homers over four starts, so he'll be looking to keep the ball in the park tonight in Houston.

Ryan Gusto gets the ball for the Astros tonight. Gusto (2-1) picked up the win in Friday's 6-4 victory over the Padres, giving up two runs on nine hits over five innings. He struck out two without walking a batter.

A two-homer game from rookie Cam Smith gave Gusto all the offense he needed, as the 26-year-old right-hander pounded the strike zone by tossing 51 of his 68 pitches for strikes before exiting.

He's held his own in the big-league rotation, and through six appearances (two starts) on the season he's posted a 3.18 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB through 17 innings, but with Lance McCullers (forearm) potentially returning before the end of the month, Gusto could be headed back to the bullpen soon enough.

LAST 10 GAMES:

Astros: 7-3, .256 batting average, 3.82 ERA, outscored opponents by seven runs

Blue Jays: 3-7, .247 batting average, 3.50 ERA, outscored by six runs

INJURIES:

Astros: Spencer Arrighetti: 15-Day IL (thumb), Luis Garcia: 60-Day IL (elbow), Cristian Javier: 60-Day IL (elbow), Shawn Dubin: 15-Day IL (shoulder), J.P. France: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Taylor Trammell: 10-Day IL (calf), Kaleb Ort: 15-Day IL (oblique), Pedro Leon: 10-Day IL (knee), Lance McCullers Jr.: 15-Day IL (forearm)

Blue Jays: Nick Sandlin: 15-Day IL (back), Max Scherzer: 15-Day IL (lat), Erik Swanson: 15-Day IL (hand), Ryan Matthew Burr: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Daulton Varsho: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Alek Manoah: 60-Day IL (elbow), Angel Bastardo: 60-Day IL (elbow)