Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Odds, Prediction
The Blue Jays continue their Texas-themed week at Rogers Centre by hosting the Rangers on Thursday night to open a four-game series. Behind Kevin Gausman, Toronto is -150 on the MLB odds with a total of 8.0 runs.
MLB Betting Odds and Trends
Toronto’s three-game home series to open this week vs. Houston had playoff ramifications and so does this four-game set against Texas. The Rangers won the 2023 World Series in a surprise but haven’t finished a winning record since and are four games under .500 currently. Both the AL West title and a Wild-Card spot are possibilities with Texas priced +120 for extra baseball.
The Rangers are expected to be buyers ahead of the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline and could use another big right-handed bat. Three regulars are currently on the IL in catcher and former Blue Jay Danny Jansen, outfielder Evan Carter and shortstop Corey Seager, the former NLCS MVP and two-time World Series MVP.
Toronto will visit Arlington from Sept. 18-20. The Jays won the 2025 season series 4-2 and were 2-1 at Rogers Centre. Former Blue Jays second baseman Marcus Semien is no longer with Texas, traded in the offseason to the New York Mets for outfielder Brandon Nimmo. The Rangers have won that trade so far with Nimmo settling in as the team’s leadoff hitter and playing a good outfield defence.
Texas Rangers
We mentioned Corey Seager above, but if all goes according to plan he will be activated from the IL and in the lineup tonight for the first time since June 11. Seager is batting only .186 with nine homers and 24 RBIs in 47 games. Texas won its first game in Miami to open this week but dropped the next two. Outfielder Wyatt Langford stayed hot in Wednesday’s loss, going 2-for-4 with a solo homer and stolen base. In the past 10 games, he is batting .350 with five homers, eight runs scored and 10 RBIs. On the mound tonight is lefty MacKenzie Gore (4-6, 4.07 ERA), an offseason trade acquisition from Washington. This month, Gore is 0-2 with a 4.37 ERA in four starts. His bugaboo tends to be walks as Gore has walked at least two batters in four straight appearances and 12 of his 16 outings total. Gore has been significantly worse away at 1-5 with a 5.75 ERA. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. could have a big night as he’s 4-for-8 career off Gore with a double and homer. Texas is 3-7 in its past 10 vs. the AL East.
Toronto Blue Jays
Disappointing start to the week for the Jays as they took their series opener at Rogers Centre vs. Houston on Monday but then dropped the next two with the bullpen to blame. And that unit is taxed with Jeff Hoffman, Mason Fluharty and Tommy Nance all likely unavailable tonight. Not clear if infielder Ernie Clement will be ready to start. He didn’t the past two games due to a hip issue but did pinch-hit Wednesday, so that bodes well. It’s Kevin Gausman (4-5, 4.04 ERA) on the hill. Which version of the inconsistent righty shows up? Gausman was obliterated for seven runs over just two innings last Friday in a loss at Wrigley Field. But he has been better at home with a 2-2 record, 3.10 ERA and .216 opponents’ batting average. Gausman is 8-3 with a 3.20 ERA in 14 career appearances vs. Texas spanning 84.1 innings. Wyatt Langford is 2-for-9 off him with a double and homer. The Blue Jays are 10-4 in their past 14 vs. the AL West.
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