The Blue Jays and Rangers will wrap up their three-game series today at Rogers Centre. Hopefully this piece will help you make a more informed decision if you decide on placing a wager or two on this series finale.
Editor’s note: All betting lines are courtesy of Bet365 and are current as of the time of publication.
Money Line: Blue Jays -240 | Rangers +200
Run Line: Blue Jays -1.5 (-120) | Rangers +1.5 (+100)
Total: 9.5 – Over (-120) | 9.5 – Under (+100)
Toronto: The Blue Jays did what they’ve been doing a lot recently, beat the Rangers in Toronto. The Jays improved to 8-1 in their last nine meetings with Texas at Rogers Centre thanks to yesterday’s 4-3 victory. The Blue Jays were money in the bank last season with their brooms out. Toronto was a rock solid 9-4 with a +31 run differential in 2021 in games with a chance to sweep a series. Oh, it gets better! The Blue Jays are 10-2 in their last 12 during the third game of a series.
Texas: The Rangers blew a seven-run lead in the opener and a 3-2 advantage yesterday to fall to 0-2 on the season. If you’re thinking about backing the underdogs from Texas, maybe think twice? The Rangers are a brutal 35-73 in their last 108 games as an underdog. Need a more recent sample size? Texas is 6-14 in their last 20 overall and 0-6 and their last six meetings against the Blue Jays. Ok, maybe one positive note? The Rangers are 5-2 in their last seven Sunday games, that’s something at least!
My pick: If you believe in momentum, I can’t see why you’d back the Rangers today. The Blue Jays have generated 18 hits and 14 runs in the first two games of this three-game series. They’ve also had the killer instant lately when they have a chance to sweep a series. If Hyun Jin Ryu gives the Jays a decent start, I think the offence will continue to produce and continue Texas’ misery at Rogers Centre. I’ll take the Blue Jays to sweep and put my money on them to cover the run line of 1.5 at -120.
Total: The Blue Jays and Rangers racked up 18 total runs in Friday’s series opener but managed just seven runs in yesterday’s game to stay under the closing total of 9.5 runs. The over, though, has been the side lately when these two teams collide. The over is 13-7-2 in the last 22 meetings and 6-3-2 in the last 11 meetings at the Rogers Centre. The over is also an eye-popping 20-9 in Toronto’s last 29 games against the American League West.
Pitching matchup: LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (14-10, 4.37 ERA) gets the call for the Blue Jays while RHP Spencer Howard (0-5, 7.43 ERA) will start for Texas. Ryu has a 1-1 record with a 1.29 ERA and 11 strikeouts in two appearances against the Rangers in his career. Howard, meanwhile, has allowed one run on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts in 3.2 innings versus the Blue Jays in his career.
Player props: Player total bases
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1.5 – Over +100 | 1.5 – Under -140)
Keep your eye on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. who continues to rake. Vladdy is 4-for-8 to the start the 2022 season with four singles. Guerrero Jr. has two career plate appearances against Spencer Howard and has slashed .500/.500/.500 against the Rangers righty.
Marcus Semien (1.5 – Over +110 | 1.5 – Under -150)
Marcus Semien is just 1-for-8 with a walk in his first two games with Texas. Semien is 0-3 in three career plate appearances against Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Pick: Marcus Semien was fantastic as a Toronto Blue Jay last season, but we don’t love him in this spot. Semien is off to a slow start in 2022 and he’s had zero success against Hyun-Jin Ryu in his career. Thanks for the memories, Marcus, but we’re taking you to go under 1.5 total bases here at -150.
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