Texas Rangers vs Toronto Blue Jays MLB Picks, Odds, Predictions 4/5/21
2021-04-05 16:05:00 EDT
The Toronto Blue Jays and the Texas Rangers meet Monday in MLB action from Globe Life Field.
The Blue Jays are coming off an opener series versus the Yankees. After splitting the first two games, on Sunday Toronto took the set with a two-run win. As for the Rangers, they played the Royals this past weekend. Texas lost Thursday and Saturday, then on Sunday were able to avoid the sweep with a win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Toronto managed an Opening Day win over the Yankees 3-2, but then fell 5-3 in the Saturday game two. In the Sunday rubber match, the Blue Jays posted all three of their runs in the second inning, eventually taking it 3-1 behind a good 4.0 innings from starter TJ Zeuch.
For the Monday starting pitcher role, the Jays will send out Steven Matz. Last season Matz took a step backward with the Mets, going 0-5 with a bloated 9.68 ERA and 36 Ks in 30.2 innings over nine games (six starts). He’ll be looking for a bounce-back year in 2021.
Over on the Texas side, they fell in their first two games to the Royals, 14-10 on Thursday and 11-4 on Saturday. In the Sunday game three, the Rangers scored three runs in both the third and fourth innings on the way to a 7-3 victory. Isiah Kiner-Falefa had three hits and three RBI in that one.
For the Monday start, the Rangers will be sending out Mike Foltynewicz. Last year, Foltynewicz didn’t see much action, giving up six earned with three strikeouts in his lone start. The good news is that Foltynewicz gave up just three earned in two Cactus League starts this spring.
The Jays are 6-1 in the last seven Monday games and 2-6 in their last eight versus the AL West. Toronto is 2-8 in their last 10 road games and the over is 13-4-1 in their last 18 Monday games.
Meanwhile, the Rangers are 4-1 in their last five home games and 6-2 in their last eight at home versus a lefty starter. Texas is 1-4 in their last five Monday games and the over is 4-1 in their last five Monday games.
PICK: I’m going to take the Blue Jays here. Toronto displayed some flashes of a great offense in the Yankees series, and if they can find some consistent pitching options the Jays will be taking a step forward this year once everyone’s healthy. Texas coughed up a lot of runs in the Royals games, but they should be able to keep pace offensively in this series fairly well. Should be an interesting matchup.
