J.A. Happ (3-0, 2.76 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (14-15) take on Derek Holland (3-1, 2.48 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (15-13) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the last of a four-game series at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays won the last game 4-3, and Toronto leads the series 2-1. Action begins at 7:07 p.m. ET on Thursday, May. 5 and can be seen on FSSW and RSN1.
Happ pitched 6.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering three runs, striking out seven and walking three in a 4-3 defeat to the Rays. Michael Saunders (.299, 15 Rs, 4 HRs, 9 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. Holland went 6.0 innings, surrendering zero runs and striking out one in a 7-2 win over the Angels in his last outing. Rougned Odor (.283, 18 Rs, 4 HRs, 16 RBIs, 4 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
The odds for Toronto and Texas are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Blue Jays have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Toronto’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Blue Jays, who rank fifth in the AL in strikeouts per home game with 7.1.
Offensively, the Rangers have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. Shifting to the pitching staff and defense, the Rangers allow just three runs per road game, ranking them fourth in the AL.
The Blue Jays lead the season series, 2-1.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Texas is 7-6, while Toronto is 3-9.
After a weak showing last week where they got in eight hits, the Rangers need to step it up. The Blue Jays have a record of 13-4 when opponents get eight hits or less.
When they are outhit, the Blue Jays are 3-11. The Rangers have a 4-10 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 23rd in home runs, Texas has hit 23 this season. Toronto ranks eighth with 34 home runs.
Ranking 27th, Toronto is near the bottom of the league in hits, notching 7.52 per game. Texas ranks in the top half at 11th with 8.39.
Toronto and Texas both rank in the bottom half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Toronto sits at 17th with an OPS of .707, and Texas ranks 18th with an OPS of .704.
When the Rangers allow at least one home run, they are 10-11. When the Blue Jays allow one or more homers, they have a 10-9 record.
