Matt Boyd (0-0, 0.00 ERA) and Yovani Gallardo (6-6, 2.98 ERA) are on the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Toronto Blue Jays (40-35) and the Texas Rangers (37-37) at the Rogers Centre. The Rangers lost the last game 12-2, continuing a six-game losing streak. Action begins at 1:07 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jun. 27 and can be seen on FSN-SW and RSN.
This is the first time Boyd will pitch this season. Josh Donaldson (.299, 57 Rs, 17 HRs, 47 RBIs, 3 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one run and one RBI. When pitching against the Blue Jays, Gallardo is 1-0 with a 4.05 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and seven strikeouts. Prince Fielder (.346, 37 Rs, 12 HRs, 48 RBIs) has been successful at the plate for the Rangers, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Toronto is a -119 favorite against Texas and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at nine runs. The Blue Jays have recorded an overall money line of +197 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 23-14. The Blue Jays have no trouble scoring as they lead the AL in offense with 5.5 runs per game. The Blue Jays are one of the best in the AL in terms of hits with an impressive 9.0 per game. Toronto is one of the best in the AL in terms of walks, earning an average of 3.3 per game. As for the pitchers, the Blue Jays are the fifth-best team in the AL at limiting hits during home games, allowing only 7.9 hits per game to their opponents this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Texas has a 32-31 record and an overall money line of +1,378. Offensively, the Rangers have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 4.4 runs per game by averaging 2.9 during that stretch.
The Blue Jays have the edge in the season series, 1-0. The Blue Jays have a 28-31 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Gallardo takes the mound.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Over
Notes
Texas has won 41% (13-19) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Toronto has won 61% (22-14) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Blue Jays are coming into this matchup after a high-scoring game where they scored a whopping 12 runs. The Rangers have a 0-2 record when opponents score that many runs or more.
The Blue Jays are coming into the game with two consecutive wins, while the Rangers currently have a losing streak of six.
When they outhit their opponents, the Blue Jays are 35-5. The Rangers have a 27-3 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking first in runs, Toronto has earned 417 this season. Texas ranks 10th with 320 runs.
Ranking 12th, Texas is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 223 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five at third with 249.
When the Blue Jays hit at least one home run, they are 35-18, well-matched with the Rangers who are 27-17 when hitting one or more homers.
