Blue Jays vs. Rangers Pick
Who has the edge when the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays open a series tonight at 8:05PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Blue Jays are favored on the road, as they are getting odds of -125 to win. The Rangers are listed with a money line of +105 to win, while the over/under total for the contest is set at 10.5 runs. These two had a three-game earlier this season in Toronto, with the Jays winning two of the three games.
MLB Quick Links: Scores & Matchups | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Betting Trends | ATS Stats
The pitching matchup for this game has Marco Estrada (4-5, 4.54 ERA) on the mound for Toronto to face Austin Bibens-Dirkx (2-0, 3.28) of the Rangers. ABD is making just his third start of the season. He has seen a number of relief appearances as well. He has allowed 9 earned runs in 24.2 innings and has seven walks with 13 strikeouts. His WHIP is 1.01. Estrada is set to start his 15th game of the season. His last three starts have saw him give up a combined 17 runs. He has 92 strikeouts with 20 walks on the year and a 1.32 WHIP.
Toronto is coming off a series loss at home to the White Sox. They have dropped three of their last five games. The Blue Jays are 33-35 overall and 14-18 on the road. Toronto is putting up 4.28 runs per game while allowing 4.53 runs per contest. The Jays are being led by Justin Smoak, who has 19 home runs and 45 RBI while hitting .292. Kendrys Morales is adding 15 home runs and 41 RBI.
Texas is coming off a series win at home over the Mariners and the Rangers have won seven of their last nine games. The Rangers are 34-34 on the season and 20-15 at home. Texas is putting up 4.87 runs per contest while allowing 4.68 per game. Texas is being led by Elvis Andrus, who has a .288 average with 16 doubles and 36 RBI. Joey Gallo has a team-high 18 home runs with 38 RBI. However, he is hitting just .194.
I don’t like the Blue Jays as a road favorite right now, especially against a Texas team that comes in playing some very good baseball. I am sure Texas doesn’t have a world of confidence in Bibens-Dirkx on the mound, but he has pitched well in his limited action. Estrada has been struggling lately, and I think that will continue against this streaking Texas lineup.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: TEXAS RANGERS +105