The Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers close out an exciting American League series Sunday night inside Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Toronto Blue Jays at Texas Rangers
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Toronto definitely let one slip away Saturday night, failing to close things out in the ninth inning and dropping a 5-4 decision in Texas. “We had the match-ups,” Blue Jays manager John Farrell stated. The Blue Jays have now fallen 12.5 games back in the standings due to back-to-back losses in this series and have dropped a game below .500 on the road (26-27). Toronto has a chance to bounce back based on its 36-26 record in night games this season, but is also 36-40 when facing right-handed starters.
Blue Jays starting pitcher Brett Cecil is 2-4 with a 5.59 ERA in eight starts this season and has led his club to consecutive victories. The left-hander will be making his fifth start on the road, posting a 2-1 mark and 3.96 ERA, surrendering four home runs in 25 innings. He has allowed eight home runs total in just 48 1/3 frames on the season. Cecil will be facing the Rangers for the third time in his career, coming in with a 1-0 record despite carrying a 19.29 ERA, as they are hitting a combined .472 against him.
Texas has won its first two games of a seven-game homestand and enter today a season-high 15 games over .500 in the standings. The Rangers provided fans with an exciting finish Saturday, as Michael Young provided a walk-off single after the previous three batters bunted. It all leads to the club possessing the best home record in the AL, while entering tonight’s series finale with a four game lead in the divisional standings. Offensively, the team is leading the majors in average and runs this month and has tallied a 15-4 mark in July, which is tied with Boston for the most wins in the majors this month. Texas is 42-27 in night games and 17-14 when facing left-handed starters.
Rangers starting pitcher Alexi Ogando is a dominating 10-3 with a 2.72 ERA in 18 starts this season and has won three consecutive starts. Over that span, he has limited opponents to just five runs and 13 hits over 21 2/3 innings. The right-hander has been spectacular in 10 home outings, posting a 7-1 record and 2.54 ERA, issuing just 16 walks and compiling 52 strikeouts in 63 2/3 frames. He came away with a no-decision in his only career appearance against the Blue Jays on April 28, giving up two runs and four hits over six innings, as Texas dropped a 5-2 contest at home.
Bettors will be interested in backing the Rangers due to their 9-0 mark as a home favorite, while the Blue Jays are 0-4 as an underdog