The Houston Astros will attempt to lay the groundwork towards winning their fifth series of the year on Monday when they welcome the Toronto Blue Jays into Daikin Park for the first of a three-game series.A competitive starting pitching matchup looks to be in the cards for the series opener, with Kevin Gausman set to square off against Hunter Brown. With each bullpen ranked amongst the top 10 in the league, runs could be tough to come by.Blue Jays vs. Astros recent form and recordsTorontoThe Blue Jays saw their two-game win streak come to an end at home against the Seattle Mariners over the weekend. In losing two of three, Toronto hits the road 12-10 overall and in second place in the AL East, trailing the Yankees by two games.The start to the year finds John Schneider's squad $211 in the black for $100-per-bet MLB bettors, with the team sitting a game under .500 on the road ($35). The Blue Jays have been a moneymaker for over bettors recently, playing to high scorers in six of their last eight matchups.HoustonThe Astros enter this set having alternated wins in each of their first seven series. They got back in the win column over the weekend by taking two of three from the San Diego Padres.Sunday's loss in the finale dropped Joe Espada's club to 6-6 in front of the hometown faithful, where the team has logged a -$121 return on investment for its backers. The under has cashed in four of their last five games, with the offense only averaging 2.8 runs during that stretch.InjuriesTorontoDaulton Varsho CF 10 Day IL - ShoulderNick Sandlin RP 15 Day IL - BackMax Scherzer SP 15 Day IL - LatErik Swanson RP 15 Day IL - HandRyan Burr RP 15 Day IL - ShoulderAlek Manoah SP 60 Day IL - ElbowAngel Bastardo SP 60 Day IL - ElbowHoustonTaylor Trammell LF 10 Day IL - CalfPedro Leon RF 10 Day IL - KneeSpencer Arrighetti SP 15 Day IL - ThumbKaleb Ort RP 15 IL - ObliqueLance McCullers Jr. SP 15 Day IL - ForearmShawn Dubin RP 15 Day IL - ShoulderLuis Garcia SP 60 Day IL - ElbowCristian Javier SP 60 Day IL - ElbowJ.P. France SP 60 Day IL - ShoulderStarting PitchersKevin Gausman (2-1, 2.49 ERA in 2025)Allowed 15 hits (4 HR) and 7 ER with a 20:3 K/BB ratio in four 2025 starts.Tossed 6.0 IP of 6 hits (2 HR) and 2 ER ball with 6:0 K/BB ratio vs. Atlanta last start.3-4 with a 5.01 ERA and 54:6 K/BB ratio in 41.1 career IP thrown vs. Houston.0-1 with a 2.03 ERA and 10:2 K/BB ratio in 13.1 IP on the road in 2025.Hunter Brown (2-1, 1.50 ERA in 2025)Allowed 15 hits (1 HR) and 4 ER with a 22:5 K/BB ratio in four 2025 starts.Tossed 6.0 IP of 4 hits and 0 ER ball with 4:2 K/BB ratio vs. St. Louis last start.1-1 with a 2.25 ERA and 10:6 K/BB ratio in 12.0 career IP thrown vs. Toronto.0-1 with a 3.00 ERA and 7:3 K/BB ratio in 6.0 IP at home in 2025.Must-Watch HittersTorontoThe Blue Jays figure to be a tough opponent for Hunter Brown in this spot. Per Team Rankings, the offense is the second-toughest in the league to strikeout, and ranks in the middle of the pack at taking walks.Anthony Santander saw his nine-game hit streak get snapped yesterday after going 0-for-5 with a couple of strikeouts. He's 3-for-9 lifetime against Brown with a double, and is slashing .274/.318/.500/.818 in his career at Daikin Park.HoustonIt's been a rough go of it for Christian Walker as he attempts to get in the good graces of Astros fans coming over from Arizona. Houston's new first baseman is only slashing .156/.253/.260 with two home runs and four RBIs through 77 at-bats.Though his bat came alive over the weekend with a double, home run, and pair of RBIs, he also struck out four times in his 12 overall at-bats. It'll likely be rough sledding tonight as well, with the righty just 1-for-10 lifetime against Kevin Gausman with seven strikeouts.Blue Jays vs. Astros Betting OddsMonday 4/21Money LineRun LineTotal RunsToronto Blue Jays+114+1.5 -192O 7.5 -105Houston Astros-135-1.5 +160U 7.5 -115Blue Jays vs. Astros expert picks and game predictionWith each of these offenses ranked amongst the bottom third of the league in run production, and each bullpen ranking out amongst the top 10, it's tough to envision the scoreboard operators being busy in tonight's series opener.The Blue Jays and Astros have both been reliable for under bettors. Toronto has played to low scorers in 13 of its 22 games, while Houston is 11-8-2 to the under. With Kevin Gausman and Hunter Brown set to take the mound, investing in the under for both the first five innings and the full game at DraftKings Sportsbook is recommended for tonight's series opener between the Blue Jays and Astros.Blue Jays vs. Astros Prediction: Houston Wins 3-2