The Toronto Blue Jays are coming into this contest on the back of four consecutive losses and are running the risk of getting swept in this four-game set at Minute Maid Park. The Houston Astros recent surge has them back at top of the AL, and I like the home-team to come out ahead tonight this afternoon as well.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Blue Jays will hand the ball to Mark Buehrle (5-2, 5.54 ERA) who is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in his past two starts. Before you get to excited, keep in mind that only one of those starts where on the road where he's 2-2 with a 6.95 ERA over four starts on the year, allowing opponents a .383 batting average. The Astros will counter with Collin McHugh (4-1, 3.50 ERA) who was hit hard in his first loss of the year his last start. He was 11-0 with a 2.31 ERA in 16 starts prior though, and I like him to bounce back with a big performance here.

2. Road Woes - The Blue Jays are 0-6 in the last six meetings in Houston and 1-6 in Buehrle's last seven road starts when visiting a team with a winning record.

3. X-Factor - Both Jose Altuve and Chris Carter are 4-for-11 against Buehrle over previous meetings.

Selection: This is a play on the Houston Astros (8*)