Rangers vs Blue Jays Odds, Picks, & Predictions: Gausman Saves the Day

The Blue Jays have quickly fallen behind in the AL Wild Card race thanks to three straight losses to the Rangers. In desperate need of a win, they’ll turn to ace Kevin Gausman. Read our MLB betting preview below to see how the finale plays out.

A day after boos rained down at Rogers Centre, the Toronto Blue Jays will try to rebound tonight and avoid a four-game sweep against the Texas Rangers.

The Blue Jays’ playoff hopes have taken a major dent this week with three straight losses to one of their main rivals in the Wild Card race, and the offense was silenced again last night as Jordan Montgomery served up seven scoreless innings for Texas.

Meanwhile, the Rangers have seemingly embraced the pressure of this make-or-break series, outscoring Toronto 26-7 and moving 1.5 games clear of the Jays. Nathaniel Lowe, Robbie Grossman, and Mitch Garver all homered last night in a 10-0 win.

Check out our free MLB picks for Rangers vs. Blue Jays for a closer look at this September 14 matchup. 

Rangers vs Blue Jays odds Rangers vs Blue Jays predictions

This was billed as a back-and-forth, playoff-like series, but the Texas Rangers seized control with a 10-4 win on Monday and haven’t looked back. It’s been a perfect “get right” week north of the border for the visitors and they’ve got a chance to crank up the misery for the Toronto Blue Jays tonight. 

But, as bad as things got in last night’s beatdown, I don’t see the Blue Jays folding just yet — they’re still in the Wild Card hunt and I expect an emphatic response after the sting of persistent booing.

It didn’t help that Yusei Kikuchi was below his best yesterday while allowing three multi-run dingers, and there has to be some relief in the Toronto clubhouse that it’s Kevin Gausman on the mound tonight to steady the ship. 

Gausman, who was lights out in eight strong innings in his last start, should have an edge against Texas starter Nathan Eovaldi, who has been working his way back from a forearm injury and was on a pitch limit in his last outing. If it’s a short start for Eovaldi, that exposes a Rangers bullpen that’s struggled over the past month.

Another meek Blue Jays surrender here would make it hard to envision a turnaround over the final three weeks. With their season on the line, I’m taking the hosts to salvage some pride tonight, shake off their slow starts, and get on the board early.

My best bet: Blue Jays first-five -0.5 (-110 at SIA)

Rangers vs Blue Jays same-game parlay

Blue Jays first-five -0.5 (-115)

Kevin Gausman Over 6.5 strikeouts (-135)

Corey Seager to record a hit (-320)

If ever Toronto needed a top-tier Gausman start, it’s in this spot tonight.

I love the Over on 6.5 strikeouts and he’s topped that mark in three of his last four starts, including 10 Ks against the Royals on Saturday.

And I had to get Seager in the mix too. He’s been a huge spark for Texas in this series, hitting 6-for-13 with three doubles and two RBI on the heels of solid at-bats against Oakland over the weekend. I see him adding to his series tally tonight.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

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Rangers vs Blue Jays moneyline and Over/Under analysis

The Rangers have got the better of the Blue Jays this year, leading the season series 5-1 and imposing their will at Rogers Centre this week. The visitors are on track to save their season with this current five-game winning run, but the Gausman factor positions Toronto as the favorite tonight with a humbling sweep looming over the hosts.

It’s been a rough series for Toronto’s best hitters, with Bo Bichette going 0-for-12 as he shakes off the rust from his IL stint and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sitting at 1-for-11 while striking out four times.

However, it’s worth noting that Bichette, Guerrero Jr., and Alejandro Kirk have good records when facing Eovaldi. That feels like the catalyst for a faster start for a Blue Jays team that’s been stuck in first gear too often in the early innings.

With Gausman presenting a different challenge and the Blue Jays’ bats flailing in yesterday’s shutout, the Under does have some appeal, but I’m still leaning towards the Over, sparked by the Toronto lineup finally coming to the party.

So far, it’s the Rangers’ offense that’s been the driving force in three straight Overs in this series.

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Trend to know

From their own pitching nightmares to the upswing over the past week, the Rangers have been a magnet for the Over lately. It’s cashed in 16 of their past 20 games. Find more MLB betting trends for Rangers vs. Blue Jays.

Rangers vs Blue Jays game info Location: Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON Date: Thursday, September 14, 2023 First pitch: 7:07 p.m. ET TV: Bally Sports Southwest, Sportsnet Starting pitchers

Nathan Eovaldi (11-4, 2.90 ERA): Eovaldi is only just back in the Texas rotation after a spell on the IL with a forearm strain, and they’ll really need him down the stretch with Max Scherzer’s injury setback this week. It was tough sledding for Eovaldi in his first start this month — giving up four runs in 1 1/3 innings against the Astros — but he looked closer to his terrific early-season form in 2 1/3 scoreless innings against the A’s on Saturday.

Kevin Gausman (11-8, 3.28 ERA): Gausman blew away the Royals at the weekend, allowing just a single run in eight innings of work, and Toronto has won each of his past three starts. The Blue Jays really need a repeat of his impressive outing against the Rangers back in June, when he gave up just one run on four hits through six innings.

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