by Rod Pearson
Friday, Jun 16, 2023
Game Time: 4:05 pm ET, Saturday, June 17, 2023
Venue: Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX
Where to Watch: BSSW
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Blue Jays -110, Rangers -110; Over/Under: 9.5 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Blue Jays -110, Rangers -110; Over/Under: 9.5 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Blue Jays -110, Rangers -110; Over/Under: 9.5 runs
Season Record
Toronto Blue Jays: 38-32 (4th place, AL East)
Texas Rangers: 42-26 (1st place, AL West)
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Recent Form
Toronto Blue Jays: 5-5 last 10
Texas Rangers: 4-6 last 10
Toronto Blue Jays vs Texas Rangers Preview and Analysis
The Blue Jays are entering this game off of a loss in their last game and lost their 3-game series against the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 38-32 record overall and have a road record of 19-19. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Rangers on Saturday with the series opener of this series still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 7th in the MLB with a .756 OPS. Kevin Gausman is their starting pitcher on Friday while Trevor Richards is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 0-0 with a 3.30 ERA this season. His team lost 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 0 ER, 0 HR, and 1 BB with 7 Ks on 1 hit through 3 IP against the Minnesota Twins.
The Rangers are entering this game off of a loss in their last game and lost their 4-game series against the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 42-26 record overall and have a home record of 22-12. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Blue Jays on Saturday with the 1st game of this series still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 3rd in the MLB with a .793 OPS. Martín Pérez is their starting pitcher on Friday while Dane Dunning is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 5-1 with a 2.76 ERA this season. His team lost 3 of their last 4 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 3 earned runs, 0 homers, and 5 BB with 3 strikeouts on 6 hits through 5 innings played against the LA Angels.
Blue Jays vs Rangers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Rangers listed as a pick 'em in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Rangers have been red hot this season with one of the best records in the entire MLB as they lead the AL West right now and they also have one of the best offenses in the league too. They haven't been great lately as they just lost 3 of their 4 games at home to the Angels but they are going to be looking to bounce back in this series and they have been a really good home team all year. They have Dunning on the mound here and he has been great all season as he hasn't been giving up many runs in his starts but he has also given up even less runs in his home starts too. The Blue Jays haven't been a bad team this season as they are starting to play better now but they haven't been great either and their pitching has let them down a lot which will be a problem here with one of the best offenses in the league. Richards hasn't been bad on the mound but the Blue Jays don't have a great bullpen and they are going to give up runs in this game while Dunning has been a stud at home and will be able to help his team hold onto any lead they get here. The best way to place a bet here is on the Rangers to win this game.
Blue Jays Rangers Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Saturday, June 17, 2023 (4:05 pm ET start time) is Rangers 6 Blue Jays 2.
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MLB Betting Trends
Toronto Blue Jays: 47-52 (-6.4 units) on the moneyline on the road when the money line is +125 to -125. 41-38 (-11.7 units) on the moneyline against AL West opponents. 10-6 OVER as a road underdog of +100 or higher. TREVOR RICHARDS is 7-3 OVER when the money line is +125 to -125.
Texas Rangers: 42-26 (+13.8 units) on the moneyline in all games. 29-18 (+10.5 units) on the moneyline against right-handed starters. 16-7 OVER when the money line is +125 to -125. 21-11 OVER in home games.
Key Injuries
Toronto Blue Jays: B. Belt (DH) Out indefinitely - Hamstring. A. Cimber (RP) Out indefinitely - Personal. Z. Pop (RP) Late June - Hamstring. C. Green (RP) Late July - Elbow. H. Ryu (SP) Mid July - Elbow.
Texas Rangers: J. Gray (SP) Ques Sun - Hand. J. deGrom (SP) out for season - Elbow. G. Otto (RP) Late June - Shoulder. B. Miller (DH) Late June - Oblique. J. Odorizzi (SP) out for season - Shoulder. B. Martin (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder.
Notable Quotes
“It seems like we're getting guys on but not cashing in. That's kind of been the M.O.” - John Schneider after his team’s loss against the Orioles in their game on Thursday.
“It’s a call that might have turned that game around, we don’t know, but certainly was a huge call that went against us." - Bruce Bochy after his team’s loss against the LA Angels in their game on Thursday.
Starting Lineups
Toronto Blue Jays
George Springer (R) DH
Bo Bichette (R) SS
Daulton Varsho (L) LF
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
Whit Merrifield (R) 2B
Matt Chapman (R) 3B
Kevin Kiermaier (L) CF
Danny Jansen (R) C
Cavan Biggio (L) RF
Texas Rangers
Marcus Semien (R) 2B
Corey Seager (L) SS
Nathaniel Lowe (L) 1B
Adolis Garcia (R) RF
Jonah Heim (S) C
Leody Taveras (S) CF
Robbie Grossman (S) DH
Travis Jankowski (L) LF
Josh H. Smith (L) 3B
Statistical Leaders
Toronto Blue Jays
Batting Average: Ernie Clement (.333)
Hits: Bo Bichette (95)
Home Runs: Bo Bichette (14)
RBI: Bo Bichette (44)
Stolen Bases: Whit Merrifield (18)
Wins: Chris Bassitt (7)
Saves: Jordan Romano (19)
ERA: Thomas Hatch (0.00)
Texas Rangers
Batting Average: Corey Seager (.347)
Hits: Marcus Semien (81)
Home Runs: Adolis Garcia (15)
RBI: Adolis Garcia (55)
Stolen Bases: Marcus Semien (7)
Wins: Nathan Eovaldi (9)
Saves: Will Smith (11)
ERA: Jon Gray (2.32)
Managers:
Toronto Blue Jays: John Schneider (2nd season)
Texas Rangers: Bruce Bochy (1st season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
