Toronto Blue Jays probable pitchers & starting lineups vs. Houston Astros, April 23

The Toronto Blue Jays' losing streak has reached four games thanks to their loss to the Astros yesterday.

While the Blue Jays are still only two games behind the Yankees in the American League East, the losing streak has dropped them to .500 (12-12). If Toronto loses today, it'll mark the first time they've been under .500 since March 29.

Toronto's offense has scored just eight runs across this losing streak and has only scored one run across their last 18 innings.

The Blue Jays will likely feel good about their chances to win since Bowden Francis is on the mound today, but this is as close to a must-win game as you can have in April.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. from Daikin Park in Houston, and the game will be available to stream on Sportsnet.

Toronto Blue Jays probable pitchers & starting lineups vs. Houston Astros, April 23

Probable starting pitchers

Bowden Francis (2-2, 3.13 ERA, 20 K) vs. Ryan Gusto (2-1, 3.18 ERA, 17 K)

Francis turned in a gem his last time out by allowing one run over six innings in a win over the Seattle Mariners. With that performance, Francis dropped his career ERA as a starting pitcher to 2.97, which is the second-lowest ERA for a starting pitcher in Blue Jays history through 17 starts.

Francis has gone at least 5 1/3 innings in all four of his starts this year, and hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his starts. That consistency could be a godsend for the Blue Jays right now considering that Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt both allowed four runs in their starts against Houston in this series.

Francis has struggled against the Astros in his young career. He's allowed 10 earned runs in 7 1/3 innings against them across two appearances, and Jeremy Peña and Yainer Diaz have both hit home runs against him.

He'll be going against Gusto, who will be making the third start of his career.

Gusto broke camp with the Blue Jays as a bullpen option before shifting to the starting rotation at the beginning of April.

He allowed three runs in four innings against the Angels in his first start of the year before allowing two runs on nine hits in a win over the Padres his last time out.

He ranks in the 89th percentile in walk rate and 80th percentile in chase rate, but also gives up far too much hard contact.

Toronto Blue Jays starting lineup, April 23

• 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. RF Addison Barger
• 8. 3B Will Wagner
• 9. LF Alan Roden

Houston Astros starting lineup, April 23

• 1. LF Jose Altuve
• 2. DH Yordan Alvarez
• 3. 3B Issac Paredes
• 4. SS Jeremy Peña
• 5. 1B Christian Walker
• 6. C Yainer Diaz
• 7. RF Zach Dezenzo
• 8. 2B Mauricio Dubón
• 9. CF Chas McCormick

The Blue Jays have Santander back in the three hole and George Springer in the cleanup spot as they continute to tinker with the lineup during this losing streak. Giménez was the cleanup hitter but his recent slump has moved him down the lineup.

Barger will look to get things going after only getting one hit through his first 15 at-bats. Will Wagner and Alan Roden are at in the final spots of the lineup and will look to re-find the spark that the bottom of the lineup had the beginning of the season.