The Texas Rangers are hosting the Toronto Blue Jays today in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. The game is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on TBS. The MLB Playoff Odds for the game have the Rangers favored to pick up the victory at home.
MLB Playoff Odds
Texas -141
Total: 9 runs
Toronto picked up a spot in the divisional round after knocking off the Baltimore Orioles in the AL Wild Card game. Edwin Encarnacion blasted the first pitch he saw for a game-winning 3-run home run in that one, a game many are still talking about in regards to Buck Showalter not using Zach Britton, the probable AL Cy Young award winner late in the game.
This should be a good series. Everyone will be talking about Rougned Odor punching Jose Bautista in the jaw and the benches clearing, but the talent on both clubs is certainly work checking out.
The Rangers are starting Cole Hamels, a veteran lefty that won 15 games this season. Hamels didn’t make a single start against the Blue Jays during the regular season and gets a slight advantage here in pitching at home. The Rangers were awesome there all season, but Hamels’ ERA of 4.40 covering 92 innings is a bit to be concerned about. Then again, it seems like everyone is giving up runs down there in Arlington, where home runs fly out of the park in routine fashion.
Toronto gives the ball to Marco Estrada, he went 9-9 and had a strong 3.48 ERA covering 176 innings of work. He faced the Rangers twice this season, both times back in May, where he threw a combined 12 innings and gave up five earned runs. Current Rangers are hitting .214 against him covering 112 at bats, Carlos Beltran has three home runs in 30 career at bats.
Hamels has the edge being at home, where the Rangers were hard to beat this season.
Free Pick: Texas
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