The Blue Jays and Astros are both looking to win their respective divisions this season, and this series could go a long way toward determining if that happens. 

The Toronto Blue Jays open up a three-game series with the Houston Astros on Tuesday night at the Rogers Centre, and they'll do so with just a two-game lead on the New York Yankees in the American League East.

The Astros enter play on Tuesday with a two-game lead on the Seattle Mariners in the American League West, so this series carries huge importance for both teams, and here's how the pitching matchups shape up.

Tuesday: Luis Garcia (RHP) vs. Shane Bieber (RHP)

Both pitchers have seen limited action this season, returning from their own Tommy John surgeries, so this matchup is completely unpredictable, frankly. 

Garcia has made just one appearance this year, giving up three earned runs in six innings last week against the Los Angeles Angels. He struck out six.

Lifetime, he's 29-19 with a 3.62 ERA and he helped the Astros win the World Series in 2022.

As for Bieber, the former Cy Young winner was acquired from the Cleveland Guardians at the trade deadline. He's a little further along than Garcia, and currently sits at 2-1 with a 4.15 ERA. He's struck out 21 batters in 17.1 innings.

Wednesday: Jason Alexander (RHP) vs. Jose Berrios (RHP)

Alexander, 32, is one of many fill-ins that the Astros have had to utilize this season, and he enters this matchup at 4-1 with a 4.68 ERA in 14 games (nine starts). He's struck out 52 batters in 59.2 innings. He's gone at least five innings in each of his last five starts, giving up three earned runs or less in each outing. The Astros won each of those five starts.

As for Berrios, he's delivered a mixed bag recently. He's coming off a two-inning start in which he gave up six runs (two earned) against the Cincinnati Reds, but he delivered a quality start in the outing before that. A former All-Star, he's 9-5 with a 4.02 ERA this season (28 starts). He's only struck out 131 batters in 154.2 innings.

Thursday: Cristian Javier vs. Kevin Gausman

Another one who is coming off Tommy John surgery, Javier has made five starts since his return, going 1-2 with a 4.43 ERA. He's struck out 20 batters in 20.1 innings. Another member of the Astros' 2022 World Series team, he's 34-20 lifetime with a 3.63 ERA. 

Gausman has been excellent of late, and he's coming off an eight-inning win against the New York Yankees. He's gone six innings or more in four of his last five starts, and he's given up two runs or less in four of his last five as well.