It’s do-or-die for all remaining American League teams today. The Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays begin the action with a showdown at Rogers Centre, where the Blue Jays are looking to complete their comeback following a 2-0 series deficit.
Then later tonight, the Kansas City Royals aim to keep their AL crown defense alive when they host the Houston Astros. Buckle up, folks. This is going to be one crazy day of baseball.
Check out our complete preview of the Rangers vs. Blue Jays here, and the Astros vs. Royals here.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays (4:07 PM ET)
Line: Texas Rangers (+165) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (-185); total: 8.0– view all MLB lines
[sc:MLB240banner ]It’s the most important game of the Rangers’ season so it’s only fitting Texas will have experienced postseason ace Cole Hamels on the mound later today. This will be Hamels’ second start of the series, as he also had the ball back in Game 2. He tossed for seven innings and allowed two earned runs on six hits, while also striking out six in the Rangers’ 6-4 victory at Rogers Centre.
As for the Blue Jays, they’ll send Marcus Stroman to match up with Hamels again. Stroman went seven innings long in Game 2, yielding three runs on five hits, while recording five K’s.
The Rangers are 5-0 in Hamels’ last five starts, during which the lefty allowed 11 earned runs on 33 total innings. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, are 6-4 in their last 10 games against southpaw starters.
Writer’s Prediction
Texas (+165) wins, 5-4.
Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals (8:07 PM ET)
Line: Houston Astros (+120) vs. Kansas City Royals (-130); total; 7.5 – view all MLB lines
It’s about time for Johnny Cueto to show his true value for Kansas City. Cueto, who finished the regular season with an 11-13 record and 3.44 ERA, will make his second start this postseason when the Royals host Houston later tonight. Cueto was far from excellent in KC’s 5-4 win in Game 2, surrendering four earned runs in six innings of work, but managed to get a avoid a loss thanks to the Royals’ timely hitting off Houston’s bullpen.
Cueto will duel Collin McHugh, who had a 7-4 record and 4.05 ERA in 16 road starts back in the regular season. McHugh started for Houston in Game 1, giving up just two earned runs (both homers) on four hits in six innings of the Astros’ 5-2 win.
The Astros are 6-4 in their last 10 road games, while the Royals are 5-5 in their last 10 at home.
Writer’s Prediction
Kansas City (-130) wins, 5-3.
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