Toronto Blue Jays probable pitchers & starting lineups vs. Houston Astros, April 22

Houston, the Blue Jays might have a problem. After dropping the final two games of their weekend series against the Braves, the Blue Jays lost their series opener to the Astros on Monday to put their record as 12-11.

While that's a better showing than most anticipated, it's also speaks to the team's struggles, as there have been plenty of winnable games that have gone by the wayside.

They'll look to turn things around when they send their ace to the mound in the second game of the series from Daikian Park. First pitch is set for 8:10 EDT, and the game will be available on Sportsnet.

Probable starting pitchers

Chris Bassitt (2-0, 0.77 ERA, 31 K) vs. Ronel Blanco (1-2, 6.48 ERA, 17 K)

Bassitt's been one of the best pitchers in baseball over the first month of the season, and he'll now be tasked with slowing down a Houston offense that's finding its groove. Bassitt's already on pace for a career year, and has spoken up about how this year's Blue Jays team seems different compared to last year's disappointment.

He'll be going against a veteran lineup that has plenty of experience against him. Jose Altuve (.278 average against Bassitt) has faced off against him 31 times in his career, while Yordan Alvarez (.421) Isaac Parades (.143), Mauricio Dubón (.308) and Christian Walker (.250) all have 10+ career at-bats against him.

Bassitt's pitched 84 1/3 innings against the Astros in his career (which is the most he's made against any team) with a 4.16 ERA.

The Astros will send Blanco to the hill in what's been a rocky season for him.

Blanco's allowed 12 earned runs in 16 2/3 innings this year and has only recorded 17 strikeouts.

He's best known for throwing a no-hitter at the start of the 2024 season, but he was also suspended 10 games for using sticky stuff last May.

He finished last year with a 2.80 ERA in 167 1/3 innings, and has made four career apperances against the Blue Jays.

He's done well in those appearances, posting a 1.69 ERA in 21 1/3 innings. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has gone 2-for-10 against him in his career, while Bo Bichette is only Blue Jay to hit a home run off him.

Toronto Blue Jays starting lineup, April 22

• 1. SS Bo Bichette
• 2. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• 3. 2B Andrés Giménez
• 4. RF George Springer
• 5. C Alejandro Kirk
• 6. LF Alan Roden
• 7. 1B Will Wager
• 8. 3B Ernie Clement
• 9. CF Nathan Lukes

A day after batting Giménez in the No. 5 spot in the lineup, he's batting third in today's lineup before George Springer. Anthony Santander has a rare day off, while the bottom of the lineup is the same shuffling of players that it's been all year.