Toronto Blue Jays probable pitchers & starting lineups vs. Houston Astros, April 21

After playing .500 ball last week, the Toronto Blue Jays are back in action today in a series-opener against the Houston Astros.

It'll be the Blue Jays' second-straight series against an American League West opponent after they lost two of our three to the Mariners over the weekend.

The Blue Jays enter play on Monday just two games back of the Yankees in the American League East standings, so they've done a good job of staying in contention despite not being able to get much going on offense so far this season.

They'll look to turn that around today. First pitch for tonight's game is set for 8:10 p.m. EDT from Daikin Park in Houston. The game will available on Sportsnet.

Probable starting pitchers

Kevin Gausman (2-1, 2.49 ERA, 20 K) vs. Hunter Brown (2-1, 1.50 ERA, 22 K)

Guasman gets a chance to start the series on a high note in what's been a strong month for the 34-year-old.

Guasman's splitter has been on another level this year, and he's coming off a start where he allowed two runs over six innings in a win over the Braves.

The Blue Jays starting pitchers have a 3.66 ERA this season, and a big reason for that is strong starts for Gausman and Chris Bassitt, who have helped supply some stability at the top of Toronto's rotation.

Gausman's struggled against the Astros in his career. Gausman has a 5.01 ERA in seven career starts against Houston, and has allowed 11 home runs in 41 1/3 innings against the franchise. Jose Altuve, Jake Meyers and Isaac Paredes have all homered off Gausman in their careers, though it's worth nothing that Yordan Alvarez is 0-for-10 off Gausman in his career.

The Astros will counter with Hunter Brown, who is also off to a strong start on the year.

Brown has a 1.50 ERA through 22 innings this year, and has a WHIP of .0833 and has only allowed one home run and five walks this season.

He ranked in the 95th percentile in average exit velocity, the 90th percentile in hard-hit rate and the 87th percentile in chase rate, so it's clear that his stuff is as sharp as his counting stats make it seem.

Brown's gone 1-1 against the Blue Jays in his career with a 2.25 ERA in 12 innings. Andrés Giménez and George Springer have both homered against Brown in their careers, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are a combined 0-for-8 against him in his their careers.

Toronto Blue Jays starting lineup, April 16

• 1. SS Bo Bichette
• 2. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• 3. DH Anthony Santander
• 4. RF George Springer
• 5. 2B Andrés Giménez
• 6. C Alejandro Kirk
• 7. 3B Ernie Clement
• 8. LF Alan Roden
• 9. CF Myles Straw

Houston Astros starting lineup, April 16

• 1. LF Jose Altuve
• 2. DH Yordan Alvarez
• 3. 3B Issac Paredes
• 4. SS Jeremy Peña
• 5. CF Jake Meyers
• 6. C Yainer Diaz
• 7. RF Cam Smith
• 8. 2B Brendan Rodgers
• 9. 1B Zach Dezenzo

After starting the season hot, Giménez is mired in a slump, which is likely the reason for him dropping to the No. 5 spot in the lineup. Springer will take his spot in a revenge game against his former club. Aside from that, it's business as usual in the Blue Jays' lineup.