This game could be low scoring as Yovani Gallardo (10-9, 3.25 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (64-61) go up against Marco Estrada (11-7, 3.27 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (71-55) in the last of a three-game series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The Blue Jays won the last game 12-4, extending a five-game winning streak. The game starts at 2:05 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 27 and will air on RSN and FSSW.
In his last start, Gallardo pitched 6.0 innings, giving up zero runs, striking out four and walking one in a 5-3 victory over the Tigers. Rougned Odor (.280, 38 Rs, 11 HRs, 43 RBIs, 5 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 3 with two runs, one home run, and two RBIs. The Blue Jays were victorious over the Angels 15-3 the last time Estrada pitched. He went 5.2 innings, allowing three runs and striking out four. Josh Donaldson (.299, 97 Rs, 34 HRs, 101 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with two runs and one RBI.
Texas is a +130 underdog in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is nine runs. The Rangers are 51-48 as the underdog and have an overall money line of +2,036. The most recent 10 game stretch for Texas’s pitching staff has gone great. Over that span, Texas’s opponents are averaging 3.0 runs per game, below their season average of 4.7.
Switching to the opposing bench, the Blue Jays come into this game with a solid win percentage of .654 when playing as the favorite (51-27) and an overall money line of +563. They sport the top-ranked offense in the AL, averaging 5.4 runs per game. Toronto is one of the top hitting teams in the AL with an average of 8.9 hits per contest. The Blue Jays average 3.3 walks per game, making them one of the most disciplined teams in the AL.
The Blue Jays are 4-1 against the Rangers this season. The Rangers will take on a right-hander (Estrada) in this game and have a 41-37 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Gallardo will take the mound against the Blue Jays, who have a 52-43 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tor, O/U – Over
Notes
Texas has won 43% (23-30) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Toronto has won 59% (32-22) of its games when taking a late lead.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Blue Jays are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Rangers have a 6-1 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rangers are 47-9. The Blue Jays have a 56-6 record when outhitting opponents.
Toronto tops the league in runs with 676 this season. Texas ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 553.
Ranking 16th, Texas is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 355 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five at fourth with 415.
The Rangers are 49-25 when they hit at least one home run. The Blue Jays perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 64-29 record.
