David Price (18-5, 2.45 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays meet Yovani Gallardo (13-11, 3.42 ERA) and the Texas Rangers in Game 1 of the Divisional Playoffs at the Rogers Centre. The game starts at 3:37 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 8 and will air on FS1.
In his most recent outing, Price pitched 5.0 innings, allowing five runs (one unearned), striking out six and walking one in a 10-8 victory over the Rays. The Rangers were victorious over the Tigers 6-2 the last time Gallardo pitched. He went 5.1 innings, giving up two runs, striking out five and walking one. Shin-soo Choo (.276, 94 Rs, 22 HRs, 82 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 3 Sunday with two runs.
Toronto is a heavy -225 favorite at home and the Over/Under (O/U) for this matchup is set at eight runs. The Blue Jays have a winning record of 72-37 when playing as the favorite and an overall money line of +979. They are 5-1 as the favorite over their last 10 games. The Blue Jays have the most prolific offense in the entire AL, averaging 5.5 runs per game. The Blue Jays are a superb hitting team with 9.1 hits per game, one of the highest marks in the AL. The Blue Jays typically don’t swing at bad pitches, which has led to an AL-high 3.5 walks per game. Toronto’s pitching staff has fallen apart in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game rose to 5.4 during that span, compared to its 4.1 season average. The Blue Jays don’t give up many hits at home to opposing batters at the Rogers Centre, leading the AL with only 7.7 hits allowed per home game.
On the other side, the Rangers have a record of 59-55 when they are the underdog and are +2,979 overall with the money line.
The Blue Jays have gotten the best of the Rangers in head-to-head matchups this season, going 4-2. The Blue Jays will take on a right-hander (Gallardo) in this game and have a 73-54 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The left-handed Price will take the mound against the Rangers, who have a 34-30 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tor, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Toronto is 43-29, while Texas is 35-37.
The Rangers are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Blue Jays have a 27-29 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rangers are 65-10. The Blue Jays have a 76-9 record when outhitting opponents.
Toronto ranks at the top of the league when it comes to runs with 891 this season. Texas ranks in the top five at third with 751.
Toronto ranks at the top of the league when it comes to walks with 570 this season. Texas ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 503.
The Blue Jays are 83-38 when they hit at least one home run. The Rangers perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 65-32 record.
