Texas Rangers Vs. Toronto Blue Jays (4/8/22) Starting Lineup, Betting Odds, Prediction
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The Texas Rangers had a 60-102 record in 2021, finishing in fifth place in the American League West. Chris Woodward is 160-224 in three seasons as the Rangers manager. Since 2013, Texas has made two playoff appearances (2015 and 2016). Toronto was 91-71 in 2021, fourth place in the American League East. Manager Charlie Montoyo entering his fourth season as Blue Jays manager has a record of 190-194. Since their last championship in 1993, Toronto has made only three playoff appearances (2015, 2016 and 2020). Opening the season against the Texas Rangers, the Blue Jays are 6-1 in the last seven meetings with the Rangers in Toronto.
Texas Rangers Vs. Toronto Blue Jays Betting Odds
The Rangers are 5-1 in their last six games as an underdog. Over is 6-1 in Texas’s last seven games as an underdog. The Rangers are 15-42 in their last 57 games as a road underdog. Texas is 3-12 in their last 15 games vs. American League East opponents. The Rangers are +10000 to win their first World Series in franchise history. The Blue Jays are 4-0 in their last four games vs. American League West opponents. Toronto is 4-1 in their last five games on AstroTurf. Toronto is 11-4 in their last 15 games as a home favorite. The Blue Jays are 11-4 in their last 15 games as a home favorite. Toronto is +850 to win their third World Series in franchise history.
Texas Rangers Starting Lineup
LF Brad Miller L
2B Marcus Semien R
SS Corey Seager L
C Mitch Garver R
1B Nathan Lowe L
CF Avisail Garcia R
RF Kole Calhoun L
3B Andy Ibanez R
DH Willie Calhoun L
Texas Rangers Vs. Jose Berrios (R)
The Rangers re-did the middle of their infield signing second baseman Marcus Semien and 2020 World Series MVP, Corey Seager in free agency. Seager is a terrific shortstop and one of the best all hitters in baseball but staying healthy has been an issue for the 27-year-old throughout his career. Last season, Seager hit .306 with 16 long balls, 57 runs batted in, 184 total bases and an OPS of .915. The two-time Silver Slugger has a lifetime batting average of .297 with 718 hits, 104 home runs, 364 runs batted in and an OPS of .870. In 2021 against right-handed pitching, the left-handed hitting Seager hit .294 in 285 plate appearances with 10 home runs, 35 runs batted in and an OPS of .912. Marcus Semien hit 45 home runs last season as a Toronto Blue Jay, the most by a second baseman in a single season in Major League history. Additionally, he hit .265 with 102 runs batted in, 86 extra base hits and an OPS of .872. Semien had two hits (one home and two runs batted in) in eight at-bats against Jose Berrios in 2021.
Brad Miller hit 20 home runs in 140 games last year with the Philadelphia Phillies. He had 150 total bases, 53 runs scored and an OPS of .774. In 12 at-bats vs. Jose Berrios in 2021, Miller had three hits (one homer and two runs batted in) and a .500 slugging percentage. Kole Calhoun hit .297 last season as an Arizona Diamondback: hitting five home runs. In seven at-bats vs. Jose Berrios in 2021, Calhoun had three hits (one double) and an OPS of 1.071.
Toronto Blue Jays Starting Lineup
CF George Springer R
SS Bo Bichette R
1B Vladimir Guerrero R
DH Teoscar Hernandez R
LF Lourdes Gurriel R
3B Matt Chapman R
RF Raimel Tapia L
C Alejandro Kirk R
2B Cavan Biggio L
Toronto Blue Jays Vs. Jon Gray (R)
Toronto’s offense is the strength of the club, they have some talented young hitters, who’ll be terrorizing American League pitching staffs for many years to come.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is in my eyes the most talented young hitter in the Major Leagues. He’s capable of simply doing anything he wants at the plate; many experts have chosen him to win the American League MVP award in 2022. In 2021, the 23-year-old, led the American League in home runs with 48 while hitting .311. But Guerrero Jr. also led the American League in the following categories runs scored (123), OBP (.401), slugging percentage (.601), OPS (1.002), OPS+ (167) and total bases (363). In three at-bats against Jon Gray last season, the Blue Jays first baseman had one hit (double) in 2021. Bo Bichette another one of the fantastic young Blue Jay hitters led the American League in hits in 2021 with 191. Additionally, the 2021 All-Star batted .298 with 29 big flies, 102 runs batted, 310 total bases with an OPS of .828. Against right-handed pitching last season, Bichette hit .286 with 21 home runs and 80 runs batted in.
Toronto acquired Matt Chapman from Oakland during spring training to man the “hot corner,” slammed 27 home runs, drove in 72 runs, accumulated 213 total bases with an OPS of .716. Against right-handed pitching last season, he hit .201 with 13 big flies and drove in 42 runs in 2021. Veteran George Springer entering his second year as a Blue Jay, hit .264 with 22 home runs and 50 runs batted in. Against righties last season, Springer hit .258 with 17 home runs and an OPS of .894.
Jon Gray started 29 games in 2021 for the Colorado Rockies going 8-12 with an ERA of 4.59. He struck out 157 batters in 149 innings pitched while allowing 76 runs with a WHIP of 1.329. Gray has won 53 games in his big-league career with an ERA of 4.59.
Texas Rangers Vs. Toronto Blue Jays Picks & Prediction
Texas is 4-1 in their last five games on AstroTurf. The Rangers are 14-44 in their last 58 road games vs. a right-handed starter. Texas is 17-40 in their last 57 during game one of a series. The Rangers are 6-20 in their last 26 Friday games. The Rangers are 6-20 in their last 26 Friday games. The Blue Jays are 25-10 in their last 35 overall. Toronto is 5-2 in their last seven games as a favorite. The Blue Jays are 10-4 in their last 14 home games vs. a right-handed starter. Toronto is 2-6 in their last eight Friday games. I like Toronto to win their home opener led by slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. by over 1.5 runs and the teams to score over nine runs combined.
