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The Texas Rangers (81-64) and the Toronto Blue Jays (80-66) wrap up a 4-game series Thursday 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 5-1
The Rangers blasted the Blue Jays 10-0 on Wednesday night, and Texas is now 3-for-3 in the current series, while winning 4 in a row this season from Toronto. The Rangers have pushed the Blue Jays 1 game out of the final Wild Card spot in the AL, while moving a half-game ahead of the Seattle Mariners for the 2nd Wild Card position.
The Blue Jays have been outscored 26-7 in the 1st 3 games of this series, erasing all of the good work Toronto did in an 8-2 run from Aug. 30-Sept. 10. The Over has cashed in the 1st 3 games of this series, while going 11-4-2 across the past 17 games overall.
Rangers at Blue Jays projected starters
RHP Nathan Eovaldi vs. RHP Kevin Gausman
Eovaldi (11-4, 2.90 ERA) makes his 22nd start. He has a 1.07 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 8.1 K/9 in 127 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 2 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K in 3-2 home win vs. the Oakland Athletics
- 2023 road splits: 6-1, 2.76 ERA (71 2/3 IP, 22 ER), 3 HR, .221 opponent batting average (OBA) in 11 starts with 1 CG
Gausman (11-8, 3.28 ERA) makes his 29th start. He has a 1.17 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 11.7 K/9 in 167 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 8 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 10 K in 5-1 home win vs. the Kansas City Royals Saturday
- 2023 home splits: 5-3, 3.07 ERA (88 IP, 30 ER), 8 HR, .230 OBA in 14 starts
- 2023 vs. Texas: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K in 2-1 road win June 16
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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 5:54 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Blue Jays -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-155) | Blue Jays -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Rangers at Blue Jays picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 4, Blue Jays 3
Moneyline
The RANGERS (+140) are a solid value as they look to cap off the 4-game sweep in the Great White North.
The Blue Jays (-165) are reeling, getting outscored 26-7 so far in this series. Gausman has tremendous all-around numbers this season, and he owns the only win for Toronto against Texas this season.
However, Eovaldi has been pretty solid, too, winning 11 of his 15 decisions, while posting a sparkling 2.76 ERA on the road this season.
Run line/Against the spread
The RANGERS +1.5 (-155) aren’t priced out of line if you just don’t think they’ll cap off the 4-game sweep, but you feel Texas will at least keep it close. Texas is the better value straight up, but this isn’t a terrible bet, either, if you want a little insurance.
Over/Under
The UNDER 8 (-105) is the lean, but go lightly, as the Over has cashed in the 1st 3 games, including Wednesday’s 10-0 shutout win by Texas.
The Rangers have cashed the Over in 4 straight outings, but the last time the Under cashed was Eovaldi’s most recent start Saturday against the A’s.
The Under has cashed in 5 of Gausman’s past 8 starts overall. We’re going to get the best pitched game of this series on the final day.
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