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The Texas Rangers (80-64) and the Toronto Blue Jays (80-65) play the 3rd contest of a 4-game series Wednesday night at Rogers Centre. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Blue Jays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rangers lead 4-1
The Rangers have had the number of the Blue Jays this season, winning for the 2nd time in as many games in this series on Tuesday, and for the 4th time in 5 meetings overall. Texas doubled up Toronto 6-3 despite losing RHP Max Scherzer to back spasms. That’s now 4 in a row for the Rangers, while cashing the Over in 3 straight, and 9 of the past 10 games overall.
The Blue Jays pitching staff has been battered for 16 runs in the 1st 2 games of the series, cashing the Over twice after 3-0-2 Under run in the previous 5 outings. In fact, the Over has hit in 3 straight meetings with the Rangers dating back to June 18.
Rangers at Blue Jays projected starters
LHP Jordan Montgomery vs. LHP Yusei Kikuchi
Montgomery (8-11, 3.62 ERA) makes his 29th start. He has a 1.24 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 8.0 K/9 in 161 2/3 innings with the Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals.
- Last start: Loss, 5 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 8 H (2 HR), 1 BB, 6 K in 6-3 home loss vs. the Oakland Athletics Friday
- 2023 road splits: 2-6, 3.08 ERA (76 IP, 26 ER), 7 HR, .232 opponent batting average (OBA) in 13 starts
Kikuchi (9-5, 3.57 ERA) makes his 29th start. He has a 1.24 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 9.7 K/9 in 148 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 8 K in 5-4 home win vs. the Kansas City Royals Friday
- 2023 home splits: 5-2, 3.38 ERA (69 1/3 IP, 26 ER), 11 HR, .220 OBA in 13 starts
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Rangers at Blue Jays odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:07 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Blue Jays -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-200) | Blue Jays -1.5 (+165)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Rangers at Blue Jays picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jays 5, Rangers 4
Moneyline
The BLUE JAYS (-125) should be able to get well and get a much-needed victory at home.
Montgomery has struggled on the road this season, at least in terms of wins and losses, although a good chunk of those failures were in St. Louis. Still, he hasn’t won in 3 road assignments as a member of the Rangers (+105), including a shaky effort Aug. 27 in Minnesota in his most recent road showing.
Run line/Against the spread
The Rangers +1.5 (-200) will cost you 2 times your potential return if you would like some insurance. If you like Texas, just play it straight up. I don’t love them, however, and think Toronto gets it done behind Kikuchi, who has been money at home this season.
AVOID.
Over/Under
The OVER 8.5 (-105) is worth a look, as these teams have combined for an average of 11.5 runs per game in the 1st 2 of the series.
The Over is also 3-0-1 in the past 4 starts by Kikuchi, while the Over has connected in 3 straight assignments for Monty, and 4 of the past 5 starts overall.
I don’t think this is a slam-dunk play, so go lightly, but we should get another Over result.
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