Toronto Blue Jays vs Texas Rangers Picks and Predictions July 26th 2024

Possible Trade Target Yusei Kikuchi Starts for Jays vs. Rangers

Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi could be making his final start for the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday in the opener of a three-game series against the meeting Texas Rangers. With Kikuchi’s contract terminating at the finish of the season, it is generally speculated that the 33-year-old veteran will be traded according to schedule on Tuesday.

Blue Jays’ New Battles

The Blue Jays fell farther of wild-card conflict when they gathered only two hits in a 13-0 misfortune to the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday. Both Toronto hits came in the primary inning, and the Blue Jays were closed out for the fourth time this season. Toronto is 2-4 on a homestand that closes with the series against Texas.

Kikuchi’s Concentration Amid Trade Speculation

Kikuchi will face a team that is falling off a four-game breadth of the Chicago White Sox after a 2-1 triumph on Thursday.

“I’m contemplating the deadline,” Kikuchi said through translator Yusuke Oshima after a 7-3 misfortune to the Detroit Tigers on Saturday. “Yet, every start out there, I tell myself, ‘I got to zero in on the game. Got to zero in on the game.’ Yet it’s in your sub-conscience. It is hard to not contemplate the deadline. It’s been extreme, however I simply have to go out there and do it.”

Kikuchi (4-9, 4.54 ERA) battled in each of his past two excursions, allowing a total of 11 runs in 9 2/3 innings. He struck out eight out of five or more innings against Detroit on Saturday yet allowed four runs on five hits and two walks. In six career games (five starts) against the Rangers, Kikuchi is 3-1 with a 4.91 ERA.

Rangers’ Solid Structure

The Rangers are booked to start left-hander Andrew Heaney (4-10, 3.60 ERA) in the series opener. He is 2-1 with a 6.55 ERA in six career excursions (four starts) against Toronto. Over his past 15 excursions (14 starts), Heaney possesses a 4-7 record regardless of a 2.81 ERA. Part of the reason for his lack of triumphs is that his teammates created two or less runs of help in 11 of his past 15 starts.

Rangers’ Recent Success

The Rangers have won five in a row after completing a 5-2 homestand that began with consecutive losses to the Baltimore Orioles.

“It was a great series for us,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “We needed to win some games in this homestand. … (It) says a lot about these guys, their resilience. They did a terrific job in (the Chicago) series.”

The Rangers have vaulted back into contention in the American League West by winning 14 of their past 20 games.

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Scherzer’s Impact

Right-hander Max Scherzer struck out a season-best nine over six innings for the Rangers on Thursday. He has 3,400 career strikeouts, moving him past Justin Verlander into 10th on the all-time list.

“We’re starting to play our best baseball now,” Scherzer said. “We’re going to start getting more and more healthy and get more arms and our bats back. That’s going to be kind of like our trade deadline acquisitions. We’re getting really good players back from injury. … We’re in the race. We’re in a tight race right now. We got to play our best baseball now, and that’s what’s going on. There’s good things in front of us.”

Roster Moves

Texas reinstated right-hander Dane Dunning (sore right shoulder) from the harmed list on Thursday, and he reassumed a warm up area job. Right-hander Gerson Garabito was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock to clear a list spot. Dunning is 4-7 with a 4.71 ERA in 15 games (12 starts) for Texas this season.

Conclusion

As the Blue Jays and Rangers face off, the speculation surrounding Yusei Kikuchi’s potential trade adds an extra layer of interest. Toronto aims to defeat late battles and finish their homestand solid, while Texas hopes to proceed with their triumphant force and fortify their situation in the AL West. With the two teams having much at stake, this series vows to be a crucial one for their particular seasons.