Texas Rangers vs Toronto Blue Jays Picks and Predictions September 19th 2024

From Globe Life Field in Arlington, we have the Blue Jays and Rangers facing off in an AL matchup. Thursday’s matchup has a start time of 2:35 PM ET. BSSW is carrying the Rangers on the local TV side, and they are the slight money line favorite (-112).

The over/under line is currently at 7.5 runs, and Toronto will be looking to end a two-game losing streak. They are 72-80 and 5th in the AL East. The Rangers are 3rd in the AL West with a record of 73-79.

Toronto vs. Texas Key Information

Kevin Gausman gets the start for the Blue Jays today as he faces the Rangers on the road. So far this season, he has made 29 starts and has a record of 12-11. Gausman’s ERA is currently 4.02, along with a WHIP of 1.25. In his 29 appearances, he has turned in 15 quality starts and is averaging 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings. Gausman’s last outing came on September 13th, where he finished with a no-decision, giving up two earned runs in seven innings of work. Before that, he had lost three straight starts.

So far this season, the Blue Jays are averaging 4.2 runs per game, which is 19th in the league. They have been a little better on the road, averaging 4.3 runs per contest. As a team, they are batting .243, which is 11th in the MLB, and are also one of the league’s best teams at avoiding strikeouts. Toronto’s team on-base percentage is .314, which is 9th in the league.

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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been a force in the Blue Jays lineup this season, as he is batting .319 with 28 home runs and 97 RBIs. He is on a streak of hitting home runs in three straight games. George Springer is also on a good streak, as he has gone 7/19 in his last five games, with three homers and seven RBIs.

Kumar Rocker is making his second start of the season for the Rangers, and he is coming off a strong outing against the Mariners. In that start, he went 4 innings, allowing just 1 earned run and striking out 7. He gave up 3 hits and 2 walks.

Adolis Garcia comes into the game as the Rangers’ leading home run hitter this season, but he is batting just .218 for the year. Garcia’s 80 RBIs are the best on the team. Texas will be looking for Marcus Semien to break out of his recent slump, as he has gone just 6/32 in his last eight games and is batting .235 for the season. However, Semien is 3rd on the team with 22 homers.

As a team, the Rangers are averaging 4.2 runs per game and are 15th in batting average. Overall, they are just 18th in home runs and have a collective OPS of .683, which is 21st in the league. Texas is also near the bottom of the league in terms of isolated power.

Our lean for an over/under pick would be to take the over, as we have this as the 3rd lowest-scoring game of the day. As for who is going to take this one straight up, we have our lean on the Blue Jays to pick up the win. Toronto comes into this one with the 2nd best team strikeout projection, and we have Kevin Gausman as our 8th ranked starting pitcher in terms of strikeouts.

Rangers Look to Complete Sweep of Blue Jays with Recent Home Surge

The Texas Rangers have been on a roll at home recently, and they’ll aim to finish off a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday afternoon in Arlington, Texas. Coming off two straight wins, including a shutout on Wednesday, the Rangers are finding their groove as the season nears its end. With consistent performances at Globe Life Field, the Rangers have built some much-needed momentum.

Texas (73-79) followed up a powerful offensive display in the series opener with a tighter, more pitching-focused 2-0 win on Wednesday, showing that they can win in various ways. As they continue their strong home stretch, the Rangers will count on their bats and the emerging young talent to keep the energy alive.

Adolis García Powers the Rangers to Victory

While the Rangers’ first win in the series was defined by their explosive offense, Wednesday’s victory came courtesy of one swing from Adolis García.

García delivered the game’s only runs with a two-run homer in the sixth inning, following a single by Wyatt Langford.

García, who’s been a fan favorite, didn’t waste any time, jumping on a first-pitch sinker and sending it over the left-field wall. His timely power has been crucial for Texas, particularly at home, where they’ve gone 8-2 in their last 10 games.

The connection between García and rookie Wyatt Langford has also been exciting for Rangers fans. Langford, who reached base five times on Monday, set the stage with a single right before García’s blast. At just 22 years old, Langford is already making waves in the lineup, and manager Bruce Bochy has nothing but praise for the youngster.

“We haven’t seen the best of this guy,” Bochy said about Langford. “He’s just getting started, and he’s got so much potential. You can plug him anywhere in the outfield, hit him anywhere in the lineup, and he’s going to be a key player for us for years to come.”

Langford’s impact has been immediate, and his ability to perform under pressure adds another layer of depth to the Rangers’ offense, making them a more formidable opponent as the season progresses.

Kumar Rocker Prepares for Second Career Start

As the Rangers go for the sweep, they’ll turn to 24-year-old right-hander Kumar Rocker, who will make his second career start. Rocker made his major league debut last Thursday against the Seattle Mariners, and despite some early jitters, he impressed. He allowed just one run on three hits over four innings, striking out seven before being pulled after 74 pitches.

“We got him where we wanted him,” Bochy said after Rocker’s debut. “I’m sure there were nerves, but he settled in and made the pitches when he needed to. That says a lot about him.”

Rocker will now face the Blue Jays, who have struggled to find much offense in this series, scoring just four runs over the first two games. Rocker’s ability to keep his composure, even when he found himself in early trouble, shows promise for his future in the rotation.

Kevin Gausman Looks to End Winless Skid

The Blue Jays will counter with veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman, who has been one of their more reliable arms this season, even though wins have been elusive in his recent starts. Gausman (12-11, 4.02 ERA) has gone winless in his last three outings, despite pitching well enough to keep his team in the games. In his most recent start, Gausman allowed just two runs over seven innings in a no-decision against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Gausman has faced Texas before and delivered a strong performance, going the distance in a complete game back in July. He allowed three runs on four hits over nine innings, earning a 7-3 victory for Toronto.

With the Blue Jays (72-80) struggling to avoid the sweep, they’ll hope Gausman can rediscover that form and help the team salvage a win. His ability to keep the Rangers’ bats in check will be crucial, especially as Texas has found their rhythm at home.

Toronto’s Injuries Pose Challenges

Toronto’s lineup took a hit when Bo Bichette was scratched from Wednesday’s game due to a right middle finger contusion, an unfortunate development just one day after he had returned from a calf strain that sidelined him for two months. The Blue Jays were hoping that Bichette, a two-time All-Star, could provide a spark, but his absence has left a gap in their offense.

“It’s tough, but we’re being cautious with Bo,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “He’s a key player for us, and we don’t want to rush him back too soon.”

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In addition to Bichette’s injury, infielder Will Wagner will undergo knee surgery that will keep him out for at least four weeks. The son of former major league closer Billy Wagner, Will has shown potential this season, and his surgery is a blow to Toronto’s depth.

“He’s probably relieved to get this taken care of now,” Schneider said, acknowledging Wagner’s frustration but also expressing confidence in the young player’s future.

Rangers Aim to Finish Strong at Home

As the Rangers look to complete the sweep, their recent success at Globe Life Field is giving them a much-needed boost of confidence. The team has been playing well in all facets of the game, from their potent offense led by García and Langford to solid pitching performances like Rocker’s debut.

For Texas, this series represents more than just another regular-season matchup. It’s a chance to build momentum and finish the season on a high note, especially in front of their home fans.

With Rocker set to take the mound for his second start, all eyes will be on the young right-hander as he looks to solidify his place in the rotation. And with a hot Rangers offense ready to back him up, the team is poised to continue its home dominance.

As for Toronto, Gausman will look to slow down the Rangers and end his own winless streak, while the Blue Jays hope to overcome their injury setbacks and avoid the sweep.

This final game of the series is shaping up to be an exciting matchup as both teams have plenty on the line, and the Rangers are eager to keep their home-field advantage alive.