The Texas Rangers (42-26) and their league-best lineup are set to host the Toronto Blue Jays (38-32) at Globe Life Field on Friday to open a three-game series.
The Blue Jays are in the midst of a nine-game road trip. They won only one out of three in their last series against the Orioles, dropping the finale 4-2 on Thursday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Danny Jansen was 3 for 4 with two solo home runs.
The Rangers are in the midst of a seven-game homestand. They lost three of four against the Angels in their last series, dropping the finale 5-3 on Thursday at Globe Life Field. Nathaniel Lowe went 2 for 4 with a double, one run, and one RBI.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Blue Jays won four of the six games between the teams, including two out of three in their most recent meeting at Globe Life Field in September.
ON THE MOUND
Kevin Gausman (5-3, 3.12 ERA) is slated to start for Toronto. The right-hander leads the AL in strikeouts (117). Gausman allowed six runs over 4.2 innings in his last start, a 7-6 road win over the Twins on Sunday. He scattered seven hits while striking out four and walking four in the no-decision.
Over two starts against the Rangers in 2022, Gausman was 1-0 with a 6.97 ERA over 10.1 innings. He had 14 strikeouts and one walk. For Texas, LHP Martin Perez (6-2, 4.67 ERA) gets the ball. Perez made one start against the Blue Jays in 2022, throwing six innings in a 4-1 home win on September 11.
He gave up six hits and walked two while striking out seven in the win. In his last start on Sunday, Perez took the loss on the road against the Rays. He threw 3.1 innings and gave up seven runs on 10 hits, striking out two and walking three in the 7-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Toronto offense is averaging 4.6 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .265/.333/.423. Bo Bichette leads the team in OPS at .857. The shortstop is slashing .318/.348/.508 with 14 home runs, 44 RBIs, and 37 runs over 70 games.
Against southpaws like Perez this season, the Jays have a .714 OPS. George Springer is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a .691 OPS in 47 at-bats. Texas is slashing .271/.340/.453 for the season and averaging 6.1 runs per game, the best in MLB.
Four Rangers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Josh Jung (.839). The third baseman has 13 home runs, 40 RBIs, and 48 runs scored with a slash line of .283/.339/.500.
Texas is averaging only 4.2 runs per game in the last five with their slash line falling across the board (.223/.302/.397). The Rangers have a .784 OPS against righties in 2023, the second highest in MLB. With a .856 OPS over 197 at-bats, Marcus Semien has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Toronto is 19-19 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.9 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. Texas has gone 22-12 at Globe Life Field this season, averaging 6.5 runs per game while surrendering 4.3.
In six meetings at Globe Life Field, each club has won three, though Toronto has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.5-4.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Blue Jays are fourth in the AL East, 11 games behind the division-leading Rays. The Rangers lead the AL West by three games over the Astros.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Toronto Blue Jays (-145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
