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
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
