Two of the hottest teams right now in the MLB collide this Tuesday night, as the Toronto Blue Jays (69-55) and the Texas Rangers (64-59) open up a crucial three-game series at Globe Life Park. Both teams will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run to four and continue pushing their way towards a postseason appearance. But only one can emerge as the victor. Who’s it going to be tonight?
Read on below for a comprehensive preview of this American League showdown. And by the way, you can satisfy your baseball cravings further with our in-depth breakdown between the Cubs and Giants.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Toronto Blue Jays vs. Texas Rangers Preview
Where: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington
When: Tuesday, August 25, 8:05 PM ET
Line: Toronto Blue Jays (-135) vs. Texas Rangers (+125); total: 9.5 —View all MLB Lines
Betting on the Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays wouldn’t be on top of the AL East division if it weren’t for their offense that leads the majors with 5.40 runs per contest. More recently, the Blue Jays have won four of their last five, during which they’ve averaged a sizzling 10.2 runs per game. Playing a key role in this offensive outburst is none other than the pair of Josh Donaldson and Edwin Encarnacion.
[sc:MLB240banner ]Donaldson is hitting .342 thus far in August and continues to lead the team in batting average (.303), homers (34), RBIs (100) and hits (145) this season. Encarnacion, though, has actually been more impressive, batting .407 along with five homers and 18 RBIs in the same month. He’s also in the midst of a 19-game hitting streak, the longest right now in the majors.
With these two huge threats at the plate for the Blue Jays, it’s certainly going to take some of the burden off Mark Buehrle (13-6, 3.45 ERA), who marches on the mound tonight to oppose the Texas Rangers.
Buehrle had his four-game winning streak come to an end after a poor outing at Philadelphia Wednesday night, wherein he yielded four earned runs and seven hits in just four frames for the eventual 7-4 defeat. That was the first time he allowed more than three earned runs since May 29. But a bounce back performance from the 36-year-old lefty can be expected, as he holds a 14-5 record with a 3.26 ERA and 1.10 WHIP throughout his career versus Texas.
Toronto is 2-3 in Buehrle’s previous five road starts.
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Betting on the Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers have also been on a major surge as they’ve won eight of their previous 10 games. That accomplishment has catapulted the Rangers to the second wild card slot in the American League while being just four games behind Houston for the top spot in their division. They’ll be aiming to sustain their momentum when they put their trust on Derek Holland (1-1, 3.68 ERA) for the first meeting of their three-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Holland, who’ll make his second start after returning from a shoulder injury, wasted no time in delivering the goods last time out. The 28-year-old pitcher logged in 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball to lead the Rangers to a resounding 7-2 victory versus Seattle on August 19. Holland will look to build on this performance later this evening; however, it’s going to be easier said than done as he is 3-2 with a 5.02 ERA and a .283 opponents’ batting average across eight games (six starts) against Toronto.
As for the offense, it’s safe to say that the Rangers will look to Prince Fielder, who leads the team in batting average (.320), to carry most of the load. Fielder is hitting .317 with seven home runs and 28 RBIs at home this season despite going just 5-for-19 over his past five contests.
Meanwhile, right fielder Shin-soo Choo could be a key factor in this game as well. Choo has gotten the better of Mark Buehrle in his 11-year career, hitting .385 (15-for-39) off the Blue Jays’ starter.
Texas is 9-1 in its last 10 games at Globe Life Park.
Writer’s Prediction:
Toronto (-135) wins a close one, 8-6
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