The Toronto Blue Jays will be facing off against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park. Fox Sports Southwest will be televising this AL showdown and the opening pitch will be at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Toronto Blue Jays at Texas Rangers Odds
Toronto (+120) is hosting this one as the underdog against Texas (-140) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this night game at 9.5 runs. The odds for wagering on the game’s total stand at -110 for both the over and the under. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds sitting at -125 for the Blue Jays -1.5 runs and +115 for the Rangers +1.5.
The Rangers are 3-6 SU and 3-5 ATS. The team’s lost 0.6 units for moneyline bettors and 3.2 units against the spread (ATS). The Blue Jays have gone 5-3 SU this year and are 4-3 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 0.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year, but have gained 2.4 units ATS.
Rangers games have had an over/under record of 2-5-1 so far in 2018. Toronto has an over/under record of 2-5.
The Blue Jays have gained 1.0 units and are 1-0 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in zero of those games, compared to one that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Rangers have lost 1.3 units and are 2-4 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in two of those games, as opposed to three that’ve cashed the under.
The right-handed Marcus Stroman (0-0, 7.20 ERA) will get the nod for the visiting Blue Jays. Stroman started 33 games last year while finishing the season 13-9 overall with a 3.09 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.
The Rangers will put the ball in the hands of lefty Mike Minor (0-1, 3.86 ERA), who struck out 88 hitters over 77 innings last year with only 22 walks. Minor finished the season 6-6 overall with a 2.55 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP.
Texas’ pitching staff has given up 4.8 runs per game overall this year as a unit. The team’s starters have a 4.64 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.21 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 9.4 K/9.
The Texas offense is putting up 3.2 runs per outing, including 3.6 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .260/.306/.373 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Rangers’ offense has been led by Shin-soo Choo and Elvis Andrus. Choo is slashing .313/.371/.656 with 10 hits, five RBIs and four runs scored, and Andrus has produced a line of .371/.421/.543 with 13 hits, three RBIs and five runs.
In the visiting dugout, Toronto’s pitching staff allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starters own a 4.34 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 9.26 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.42, along with a WHIP of 1.25 and a K-per-9 of 9.23.
Blue Jays hitters have slashed .240/.321/.454 on their way to 5.5 runs scored per game this season, including over the team’s last five outings (4-1 SU).
First baseman Justin Smoak and third baseman Yangervis Solarte have led Toronto’s offense. Smoak is hitting .379/.457/.759 with 11 hits, 10 RBIs and six runs scored, while Solarte is slashing .273/.407/.636 with six hits, two homers, three RBIs and four runs scored.
Compared to his overall season slash line of .255/.314/.416, Solarte appeared to have a little trouble hitting left-handed pitching in 2017, maintaining a slash line of only .211/.275/.289 across 142 plate appearances.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Texas Rangers Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Blue Jays, ATS Winner – Blue Jays, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Notes
The Rangers went 3-4 SU against the Blue Jays last season.
The Blue Jays have won five of their last six games SU
The Blue Jays’ bullpen posted 2.73 ERA against the Rangers last year.
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