Blue Jays vs. Rangers Prediction
Can the Texas Rangers get to the .500 mark tonight when they open up a weekend series against the Toronto Blue Jays at 8:05PM ET?
923 Toronto Blue Jays vs. 924 Texas Rangers
Friday, May 3, 2019
8:05PM ET – Globe Life Park
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers, the Rangers are the slight favorite at home, as they are getting odds of -140 to win. The Blue Jays are listed with a money line of +130 to win, while the over/under total for the contest is set at 9.5 runs. The public betting for the contest currently has 60 percent going on the Rangers at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Blue Jays swept at Los Angeles
Toronto opened up a road trip by dropping three games to the Angeles in L.A. this week. The Jays scored just eight runs over the three games. The Jays are 14-17 on the season, 7-9 on the road and 19-12 with the under. Trent Thornton takes the mound tonight. He has an 0-3 record with a 5.08 ERA.
The Blue Jays have been able to win their games through pitching this season. They rank third in MLB in team ERA at 3.46, while their team WHIP is just 1.23. Offensively, the Blue Jays are averaging just 4.03 runs per game while hitting .227. Justin Smoak has been leading the team at the plate with five home runs and 18 RBI while Randal Grichuk had eight doubles, five home runs and 14 RBI.
Rangers can’t get back on track
After a strong start to the season, Texas has lost seven of its last nine, including two straight at home to Pittsburgh this week. The Rangers are now 14-15 on the season, 10-6 at home and 17-11 with the over. Texas has Mike Minor on the mound tonight. He is 3-2 on the season with a 2.88 ERA.
The Rangers have the league’s top offense this year, but one of the worst pitching staffs. Texas is averaging 5.90 runs per game while hitting .258. On the mound, Texas has a 5.49 ERA, which ranks second to last in the league. Their WHIP of 1.55 is dead last. Joey Gallo is leading the way with 11 home runs and 26 RBI while Elvis Andrus has seven doubles, five home runs and 20 RBI while hitting .348.
MLB Betting Trends
Toronto
The Blue Jays are just 1-5 in Thornton’s last six starts and 7-22 in their last 29 road games against a left-handed starter.
Texas
The Rangers have lost five straight Friday games, but they are 8-3 in Minor’s last 11 starts against a losing team.
Prediction:
Toronto hasn’t been able to find their bats on the road this week and now they face a team that leads the league in scoring. While the Rangers don’t have a great pitching staff, but Mike Minor has been one of the stronger arms they have. He already has a complete game shutout and another seven-inning scoreless effort. In four of his last five starts, he has allowed two runs or less. I think he is able to work past this Toronto lineup while the Rangers do their usual damage at the plate.
MLB Prediction: Texas Rangers -140