Free MLB Picks Today: Texas Rangers vs Toronto Blue Jays 9/9/22

Free MLB Picks Today: Texas Rangers vs Toronto Blue Jays 9/9/22
Fri 9th September 2022

The Toronto Blue Jays (76-60) take one of the highest-scoring offenses in MLB on the road to face the Texas Rangers (59-77) at Globe Life Field on Friday to open a three-game series. The Blue Jays are kicking off the final series of their 10-game road trip. They won three out of four in their last series against the Orioles, taking the finale 4-1 on Wednesday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Santiago Espinal was 2 for 3 with one run. The Rangers just wrapped up a rough seven-game road trip (1-6). They lost two of three against the Astros in their last series, dropping the finale 4-3 on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. Nathaniel Lowe went 2 for 3 with a solo home run.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Blue Jays have won two of three in the season series between the teams, although they suffered a 12-6 defeat in their last meeting on April 10 at Rogers Centre. Brock Burke threw two scoreless innings out of the bullpen to get the win.

ON THE MOUND

Ross Stripling (7-4, 3.03 ERA) is set to take the mound for Toronto. The right-hander allowed three runs over six innings in his last start, a 4-3 road win over the Pirates on Sunday. He got the win, yielding two hits while striking out eight and walking three. Over two previous appearances against the Rangers this season, Stripling has allowed two earned runs over two innings (0-0, 9.00). He has three walks against no strikeouts. For Texas, righty Dane Dunning (3-8, 4.37 ERA) takes the mound. He has made one prior start against the Blue Jays this season, giving up three runs over five innings in a 4-3 road defeat on April 9. He gave up five hits and walked two, while striking out four in the no-decision. In his last start on Sunday, Dunning took the loss on the road against the Red Sox. He threw four innings and gave up five runs on eight hits, striking out two and walking three in the 5-2 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Toronto offense is averaging 4.7 runs per game for the season, fifth best in MLB, with a slash line of .261/.326/.427. Alejandro Kirk leads the team in OPS at .829. The catcher is slashing .302/.385/.444 with 13 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 54 runs over 120 games. Over the last five games, however, Toronto has averaged 5.8 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.301/.356/.468). Against righties like Dunning this season, the Jays have a .751 OPS, fourth highest in the league. Kirk also is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .849 OPS in 320 at-bats. Texas is slashing .242/.305/.395 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game. Lowe leads the team with ann .867 OPS. The first baseman has 24 home runs, 68 RBIs, and 64 runs scored with a slash line of .306/.360/.507. Texas is averaging only 2.4 runs per game in the last five with their slash line slipping across the board (.176/.236/.255). The Rangers have a .677 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .817 OPS over 354 at-bats, Lowe also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Toronto is 38-31 in away games in 2022, scoring 5.0 runs per game while allowing 3.9 runs. Texas has lost four in a row at their home park. The Rangers are 28-38 at home this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 4.9. In three games between the teams at Globe Life Field, Texas is 2-1 with an average scoreline of 3.7-3.7.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Blue Jays are third in the AL East, six games behind the division-leading Yankees. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting third with a magic number of zero. The Rangers are fourth in the AL West, 28 games behind the Astros.

SportsTips’ MLB Pick:

Toronto Blue Jays (-165)

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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

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