Toronto Blue Jays vs. Texas Rangers: Odds, Prediction
Texas is a -145 favourite on the MLB odds behind former NL Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom. The total is only seven.
Betting Analysis
Because the Blue Jays already played their one series this season in Houston, this three-game set against the Rangers marks their last visit to the Lone Star State in 2025 barring a playoff matchup. The Rangers were one of the most unlikely World Series winners this century in 2023, the franchise’s first title, but that looks more and more like a fluke. Texas slid to 78 wins last year and is 26-28 so far in 2025. To make the playoffs, the team is +140 with no at -170.
Former Blue Jays second baseman Marcus Semien was an AL MVP candidate in that ’23 World Series season and still pretty good last year but has become one of the worst regulars in the majors batting just .176. The 34-year-old still has three more years left on the seven-year, $175 million (US) deal he got in December 2021 after one spectacular season in Toronto.
Now the Rangers couldn’t give Semien away. The team’s other most accomplished regular, shortstop and two-time World Series MVP Corey Seager is on the injured list with a hamstring injury but could be activated during this series. Outfielder/DH Joc Pederson and top setup man Chris Martin (1.83 ERA) are also on the injured list.
Toronto won the 2024 season series with Texas 4-2 but was 1-2 in Arlington. The Rangers visit Rogers Centre in mid-August for three games.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays enter off being swept three games in Tampa over the weekend, totalling just two runs in a hitter-friendly ballpark – after totalling 24 runs at home in three-game home sweep of San Diego to start last week. Sunday’s 13-0 loss was the Jays’ worst of the year, but at least they didn’t use any high-leverage relivers in a blowout. Daulton Vasho, Nathan Lukes and Alejandro Kirk were all out of the starting nine but should be back in there tonight. Backup catcher Tyler Heineman was placed on the seven-day injured list due to a concussion on Sunday, and the team selected catcher Ali Sánchez to the big-league roster.
Toronto starts right-hander Kevin Gausman (4-4, 4.03 ERA) on the mound here. He has run very hot and cold in 2025, but the hot version showed up last Wednesday as Gausman pitched seven shutout innings in beating the Padres with only three hits allowed, no walks and nine Ks. Gausman has walked a single batter with 27 strikeouts in four starts this month. He is 1-3 with a 5.27 ERA in five road starts. Gausman has made 13 career appearances (12 starts) vs. Texas and is 7-3 with a 3.42 ERA and 75 strikeouts over 76.1 innings. Former Blue Jay Marcus Semien has faced Gausman the most of any Rangers batter and is 6-for-28 with two doubles, a triple and homer but also 10 strikeouts.
Texas Rangers
Texas snapped a six-game losing streak and avoided a potentially embarrassing three-game sweep at the White Sox on Sunday with a 5-4 win. The Rangers scored three in the ninth in the comeback. They did use all their high-leverage relievers, so that might factor Monday.
Former two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom (4-1, 2.33 ERA) is on the hill for Texas. The 36-year-old hasn’t made more than 15 starts in a season largely due to injury but is healthy now and nearly back in his peak form, ranking among AL leaders with a 0.93 WHIP and with an opponents’ batting average of just .199. The righty has given up two earned runs or fewer in seven straight starts with a 1.66 ERA, 49 strikeouts and 0.81 WHIP in that span. This marks only his second career start against Toronto. The first was while pitching for the Mets on Sept. 11, 2020 in Buffalo (COVID season).
DeGrom allowed one earned run over six innings with nine strikeouts in the victory. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the only Blue Jays batter to have a hit career off deGrom as Guerrero is 1-for-3 off him. Anthony Santander is 0-for-3 with three Ks. Texas is 17-10 at home.
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