Teams are battling through injuries late in the year and continue to make a playoff push. Our team of writers and handicappers gathered three of their top picks for Thursday’s MLB action.
Toronto Blue Jays (68-64) at Tampa Bay Rays (80-51)
The Tampa Bay Rays haven't lost a series since the All-Star break, and it's been nearly two months since they've dropped one at home.
Looking to continue both of those impressive streaks, the Rays aim to take the finale of their three-game set against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday at Tropicana Field.
AL East-leading Tampa Bay (80-51) dropped four games in Cleveland ahead of the All-Star break, but has since gone undefeated in 11 series, winning 10 and splitting a four-game set in that span. The club has also secured seven straight home series since dropping two of three contests against Houston from June 20-22.
The Rays are 10-4 versus the Blue Jays (68-64) thus far, winning four consecutive series against them for the first time since taking five in a row over two seasons from Sept. 20, 2002-Aug. 6, 2003.
Trying to match that mark, Tampa Bay hands the ball to Edwin Jackson (10-8, 3.93 ERA), who has gone 5-1 with a 2.86 ERA over his last six starts.
Pick: Tampa Bay - Best line -145 SBG Global
Minnesota Twins (75-68) at Oakland Athletics (61-72)
The Minnesota Twins are halfway through their longest road trip in 39 years. They hope the second half goes better than the first.
The Twins look to build off their most recent victory when they open a four-game set against the Oakland Athletics in one of three series Thursday night to feature the debut of instant replay.
Nick Blackburn (9-8, 3.78 ERA) looks to avoid a third straight loss for the Twins after allowing six runs - three earned - and 10 hits in 4 2-3 innings of a 7-5 defeat to the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday.
The right-hander, who is 0-2 with a 5.19 ERA over his last three starts, allowed three runs in eight innings of a 3-2 loss to Oakland on Aug. 18 - his only career start versus the A's.
Oakland (61-72) counters with Dana Eveland (8-8, 4.30), who allowed one run and five hits while striking out seven in seven innings of a 5-1 victory at Seattle on Saturday, his first start since being recalled from the minors.
Pick: Oakland - Best line +135 SBG Global
Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels
Vladimir Guerrero has certainly enjoyed facing the Texas Rangers. The AL West-leading Los Angeles Angels, though, don't appear to be too happy with the new instant replay rule.
Guerrero and the Angels (80-52) may prefer the new rule doesn't come into play Thursday night when they open a three-game series with the Rangers (66-68).
Texas is technically Los Angeles' closest pursuer in the West, but is highly unlikely to make up its 15-game deficit to the first-place Angels.
Guerrero has gone 5-for-13 (.385) with three doubles and three RBIs over the last three games, including a 2-for-5 performance in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to Oakland.
Scioscia will give the ball to Jon Garland (11-8, 4.49 ERA), who is 0-1 with a 7.84 ERA in his last two starts.
The right-hander was shaky Saturday, getting reached for five runs and six hits in 4 1-3 innings of a 7-5 win over Minnesota. He had lasted at least six innings in his four previous starts.
Garland is 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA in his last three starts against the Rangers. He was hit hard in his last game against them on April 6, allowing seven runs and eight hits, including two homers, while hitting two batters in a 10-4 defeat.
Pick: Texas - Best line +170 SBG Global