Mark Buehrle (7-4, 3.90 ERA) and Nick Martinez (5-3, 2.77 ERA) take the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Toronto Blue Jays (39-35) and the Texas Rangers (37-36) at the Rogers Centre. The Rangers come into this series in the midst of a five-game losing streak. Action begins at 7:07 p.m. ET on Friday, Jun. 26 and can be seen on FSN-SW and RSN.
Buehrle is 13-5 with a 3.29 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 77 strikeouts against the Rangers. Chris Colabello (.343, 30 Rs, 6 HRs, 27 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 5 Wednesday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. When pitching against the Blue Jays, Martinez is 0-0 with a 1.80 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and three strikeouts. Prince Fielder (.344, 36 Rs, 11 HRs, 47 RBIs) has been successful at the plate for the Rangers, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Toronto is a -158 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. Turning to 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 32-30 record and an overall money line of +1,478. 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 a 28-31 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Martinez takes the mound. Buehrle (LHP) will be on the hill against the Rangers, who have a 13-14 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Toronto is 21-14, while Texas is 13-18.
Having scored one run 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 16-1 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Blue Jays are 5-26. The Rangers have an 8-29 record when opponents outhit them.
Texas ranks in the top half of the league at 11th when it comes to home runs, hitting 73 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five at fourth with 93.
Ranking ninth, Texas is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.42 per game. Toronto ranks in the top five at fifth with 9.04.
Ranking first in on-base plus slugging percentage, Toronto has an OPS of .780 this season. Texas ranks 17th with an OPS of .712.
The Rangers are 19-28 when they allow at least one home run. The Blue Jays perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 24-25 record.
