The standings can be a little deceiving in the early going of the baseball season. You can have a team playing sub-.500 ball and still be within reach of the team sitting at the top of the division. While things tend to be a little more forgiving at this stage of the season, staying below .500 usually means losing ground very quickly with each passing week. There is simply no way to get anywhere near a division title, or even a Wild Card spot for that matter unless a team wins more games than they lose.
This is where both the Toronto Blue Jays and the Texas Rangers are at the moment. Both teams are sitting below the .500 mark, albeit not by much, and while both are still in range of their respective division leaders, they are both aware that they need to start picking up wins if they are to stay close. This should be a fun series in Arlington this weekend, with both teams looking to come out of losing slumps. It is Texas who are favored by 1 ½ in the Friday game.
Blue Jays vs Rangers MLB Week 5 Odds & Game Analysis
- When: Friday, May 3 at 8:05 PM EST
- Where: Globe Life Park, Arlington
- Starting Pitchers: Thornton vs Minor
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Radio: 95.5 ESPN
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- MLB Week 5 Odds: Texas Rangers -155 (Total 9)
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Why bet on the Toronto Blue Jays?
The Blue Jays are sitting at 14-16 on the season, a record that has them sitting 5 games off the pace being set by the Tampa Bay Rays at the top of the AL East. Toronto has actually hurt themselves a little over the last couple of days, losing back to backs games at the same time as the two teams ahead of them have also been losing. As it is, the Blue Jays are now 6-4 in their last 10 games, with their home and away records sitting at an identical 7-8.While they have not covered in each of their last 2 games, Toronto had covered the spread in the 4 games prior to that losing skid. They will send Trent Thornton (0-3, 5.08 ERA) to the mound as he goes in search of his first win of the season.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.03
- Hits: 7.58
- Walks: 2.77
- Strike Outs: 9.90
Defense
- Runs: 3.94
- Hits: 7.16
- Walks: 3.77
- Strike Outs: 8.61
Why bet on the Texas Rangers?
In terms of the division races, the Texas Rangers are a little better off than the Blue Jays in that they are just 3 games off the pace in the AL West right now. This is despite having a 14-15 record, with the Rangers slipping below .500 after taking back to back losses prior to the start of this series. It has been a very poor run of form for Texas of late, as they now have just 3 wins in their last 10 games.
Still, this is a team that has been better at home, going 10-6 in their own ballpark in the early going. They are also 10-6 ATS at home this season, but just 1-2 ATS as a home favorite. The Rangers will send Mike Minor (3-2, 2.88 ERA) to the mound for this one.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 5.90
- Hits: 8.86
- Walks: 3.90
- Strike Outs: 9.72
Defense
- Runs: 5.66
- Hits: 9.34
- Walks: 4.41
- Strike Outs: 7.76
Cardinals vs Cubs MLB Betting Lines & Game Preview
Blue Jays vs Rangers MLB Week 5 Betting Trends
- Blue Jays are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games against an opponent in the American League conference
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Texas
- Rangers are 10-5 SU in their last 15 games at home
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Texas’ last 8 games
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Blue Jays vs Rangers
Both teams will be desperate to get the win that snaps them out of a losing skid here, and while I think it is the Rangers who have the slight edge in this one, I think that the Blue Jays will keep it close enough to cover.Score: Toronto Blue Jays 4 – Texas Rangers 5
