Upcoming Match-ups

Rangers vs Blue Jays Odds, Picks, and Predictions (April 8)

Quinn Allen

by Quinn Allen in MLB Baseball

Updated Apr 8, 2022 · 6:36 AM PDT

Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer, Vlad Guerrero Jr, Bo Bichette celebrate a home run
Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer (4) celebrates with Bo Bichette, center, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., right, after hitting a home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Buffalo, N.Y., Friday, June 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
  • The Rangers visit the Blue Jays on Friday
  • Toronto is a -175 favorite in the season opener
  • Find the Rangers vs Blue Jays odds, picks, preview, and more below

A revamped Texas Rangers team will begin their 2021 season against one of the most exciting organizations in the Majors as they visit the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre on Friday. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:07 PM ET.

Texas will send offseason acquisition Jon Gray to the hill for Game 1, while the Jays counter with Jose Berrios.

Rangers vs Blue Jays Odds

Team Moneyline Runline Total
Texas Rangers +160 +1.5 (-130) Ov 9 (-115)
Toronto Blue Jays -180 -1.5 (+110) Un 9 (-105)

Odds as of April 7th at Caesars Sportsbook.

 

Toronto is a -180 favorite for the opening game of this three-game set. They also have the second-best World Series odds in the MLB right now behind only the Dodgers, sitting at +900.

The Jays have also won three in a row against the Rangers, outscoring them 25-2 in the process.

Probable Pitchers

Berrios gets the call here for Charlie Montoyo’s squad after signing an extension with the team in the winter. The righty was extremely effective in 2021, posting a 3.52 ERA across 32 starts for the Twins and Jays. When he came over to Toronto, Berrios gave his squad a ton of consistency, striking out 78 in 70 innings and allowing a mere 13 walks.

YouTube video

The Puerto Rico native made just one start against the Rangers last season, going six innings and allowing three earned runs. However, he’s typically struggled when pitching vs. Texas, compiling a 5.47 ERA in five outings.

Berrios vs Gray Stats

Jose Berrios
VS
Jon Gray
12-9 Record 8-12
3.52 ERA 4.59
192 Innings Pitched 149
204 Strikeouts 157

Gray came over to the Rangers in the offseason following seven years in Colorado. While he’s struggled to consistently put up good numbers, a change of scenery could be good for the ex-Oklahoma star. The righty went 8-12 a year ago, sporting an ERA north of four. Although his strikeout numbers stand out, he also had a problem with command, allowing 58 free passes in 149 innings of work.

The 30-year-old has only pitched against the Jays twice, compiling a 2.63 ERA in the process. In 14 at-bats versus Gray, Toronto is hitting only .095.

Could Texas Do Damage?

The Rangers made a significant splash in free agency, spending a massive amount of money on their middle infield by signing All-Stars Marcus Semien and Corey Seager. That’s an imposing duo in the middle of the lineup for a Texas team that has been very poor across the last couple of seasons.

They also brought in Kole Calhoun, an impact bat who can swing it well from the left side and play solid defense in the outfield. Their offense is looking scary, but the real question mark is their pitching. A bounce-back year from Gray will be crucial at the top end of this rotation.

Jays Looking Like a Favorite

Toronto might’ve lost Semien and Robbie Ray this winter, but this team is still a force to be reckoned with. After going 91-71 in ’21 and narrowly missing the playoffs, the Jays’ front office went out and made some big moves, signing Kevin Gausman and Yusei Kikuchi to bolster an already strong pitching staff.

YouTube video

Offensively, the Vladimir Guerrero-Bo Bichette-George Springer trio is about as scary as it gets. But you also can’t forget the organization just added All-Star third baseman Matt Chapman, a legitimate two-way player. There is a reason the Blue Jays are a World Series favorite. It could be their year.

Rangers vs Blue Jays – Last 10 Games

Date Home Team Away Team Score
7/18/21 Toronto Blue Jays Texas Rangers TOR, 10-0
7/18/21 Toronto Blue Jays Texas Rangers TOR, 5-0
7/16/21 Toronto Blue Jays Texas Rangers TOR, 10-2
4/7/21 Texas Rangers Toronto Blue Jays TEX, 2-1
4/6/21 Texas Rangers Toronto Blue Jays TEX, 7-4
4/5/21 Texas Rangers Toronto Blue Jays TOR, 6-2
8/14/19 Toronto Blue Jays Texas Rangers TEX, 7-3
8/13/19 Toronto Blue Jays Texas Rangers TOR, 3-0
8/12/19 Toronto Blue Jays Texas Rangers TOR, 19-4
5/5/19 Texas Rangers Toronto Blue Jays TEX, 10-2

Rangers vs Blue Jays Prediction

Although Gray has enjoyed some success against the Jays, I honestly believe their offense will erupt from the get-go in front of a packed house at home, while Berrios should also feed off the energy at the Rogers Centre and put together a quality start. Take Toronto on the moneyline.

Pick: Blue Jays moneyline (-180)

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