The Toronto Blue Jays are playing host to the Texas Rangers at Rogers Centre. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Southwest will showcase this AL matchup.
Texas Rangers at Toronto Blue Jays Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Texas (+140) as the underdog to Toronto (-150). Gamblers can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at +100 for over nine runs and -120 for under nine. The game’s runline odds sit at -155 for taking the Rangers +1.5 runs and +135 for the Blue Jays -1.5.
The Blue Jays are 14-10 SU and 13-10 ATS. They’ve gained 4.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 3.3 units against the spread (ATS). Toronto has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Rangers are 9-17 SU and have gone 10-16 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 3.6 units for moneyline gamblers in this young season and 9.8 units ATS. Texas has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Blue Jays games have a 9-12-2 over/under record so far in 2018. Texas has an over/under record of 12-13-1.
Left-hander Mike Minor is the projected starter for Texas. Minor is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA and 20 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with seven strikeouts and a 1.50 ERA against Toronto this year.
The Blue Jays are handing the ball to righty Marcus Stroman (0-2, 8.55 ERA), who has 21 strikeouts and 14 walks, as well as a 1.85 WHIP. Stroman is 0-1 with three strikeouts and a 9.64 ERA in one start against Texas this year.
As a unit, Toronto’s pitching staff has given up 4.2 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starters have a 5.07 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has recorded a solid ERA of just 2.31, a WHIP of 1.24 and a K/9 of 8.9.
The Toronto hitters have put up 5.3 runs per contest, including 5.5 per game over its last 10 games and 2.6 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .155/.236/.298 over its last five contests and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
Left fielder Curtis Granderson and third baseman Yangervis Solarte have led the Blue Jays’ batters this year. Granderson is hitting .321/.433/.571 with three home runs, 12 RBIs and 11 runs scored, and Solarte is batting .228 with six homers, 11 RBIs and 14 runs.
Granderson did not do very well against lefties at home in 2017. In 52 such plate appearances, he slashed .149/.212/.234 (compared to his total season line of .212/.323/.450).
For the visitors, Texas’ pitchers have allowed 5.1 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.96 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 7.68 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.26, along with a K/9 of 8.53.
Rangers hitters have slashed .231/.308/.370 on their way to 3.6 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.2 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Texas’ hitters have been led by shortstop Elvis Andrus and first baseman Joey Gallo. Andrus is hitting .327/.426/.500 with 17 hits, five RBIs and seven runs scored, while Gallo (.229/.308/.490) is up to 22 hits, seven homers, 17 RBIs and 14 runs scored.
The Rangers have lost 0.3 units and are 9-11 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in eight of those games, compared to 11 that’ve hit the under against righties. On the other hand, the Blue Jays have netted 0.7 units and are 6-3 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in four of those games, compared to four that’ve cashed the under.
Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Blue Jays, ATS Winner – Rangers, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The Rangers have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games. The Blue Jays have hit 12 over their last 10.
- Toronto has recorded 20.9 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 12.6 over its last five.
- The Blue Jays have lost four of their last five games SU.
