The Toronto Blue Jays started their 2022 season dramatically by beating the Texas Rangers 10-8 last night in the opening match of their series from Rogers Center. Hopefully this piece will help you make a known decision if you are in the mood to spend some money on the game.
Editor’s note: All betting lines are courtesy of Bet365 and present as of publication time.
Money line: Blue Jess-200 | Rangers +170
Run line: Blue Jess-1.5 (-105) | Rangers +1.5 (-115)
Total: 9.5 – Over (+105) | 9.5 – Low (-125)
Toronto: The Blue Jays had to work hard to avoid another home opening rate to start their season at Rogers Center after their last 10 real openers went 1-9 in last night’s game. But what will be the second game of the season? Toronto 3-5 with a +4 run difference in their last eight games at their home opener Toronto. However, in their last eight meetings with Texas at the Rogers Center, the Jesuits have lost 7-1. The Blue Jays are 5-0 in their last five against the American League West and 12-4 in their last 16 games as home favorites.
Texas: The Rangers have blown a seven-run lead that has been scripted lately when they are underdogs. Texas has been brutal lately as a dog in their last 56 games as a street underdog 16-42. Oh, it gets worse! The Rangers have lost 15-50 overall in their last 65 road games. They recently battled it out in the American League East, going 3-13 in their last 16 against the Division.
My picks: If you keep up the pace, the Blue Jays will take part in today’s game after winning last night’s return. Kevin Gaussman made his debut in Toronto and attended his only spring training last week and has had some success in his career against Texas. I’ll be riding the wave of return wins since last night, and the fact that Jess has been the owner of the Rangers lately and has taken the Blue Jays here to -1.5 to -105.
Total: The Blue Jays and Rangers pounded out 17 hits and 18 total runs last season and flew over the final total of the series opener 9.0. Although the Jesuits were one of the best teams last season, the overs have been played lately against Texas. The last 10 meetings between the two teams at the Rogers Center were 6-2-2. The Underdogs are 7-1 in the last eight games in Texas and 22-10-2 in their last 34 road games with a total set of 9.0 -10.5.
Pitching Matchup: RHP Kevin Gaussman (14-6, 2.81 ERA) made his debut as Blue J while RHP Dan Dunning (5-10, 4.51 ERA) countered for Texas. Gaussman has a 3-2 record with a 2.83 ERA and 38 strikeouts in seven career appearances against the Rangers. Toronto Wright last faced Texas on July 29, 2017, against Baltimore and tossed 8.2 innings in seven hit shutouts. Gaussman was stunned by his only spring appearance, dropping just three hits and two earned runs in a 6.0 innings against the Tigers last week.
Dunning, meanwhile, allowed one run in three hits, including six strikeouts in five innings at the start of his lone career against the Blue Jays in Arlington last April. The right-hander, however, took the Struggle Bus on the road, going 0-7, 6.39 ERA away from home at 12 Start last season.
Player Props: Player total base
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1.5 – Over-155 | 1.5 – Under-125)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made a solid start to his 2022 season by going 2-for-2 with two RBIs against Texas last night. Guerrero Jr., however, was 0-2 in his two-plate appearance against Dan Dunning in his career.
Corey cigars (1.5 – more than +100 | 1.5 – less -140)
Corey Cigar was 2-for-4 with a walk in his Rangers debut last night. Cigar has had success in his career by slashing an eye-popping .429 / .600 / .571 against Kevin Gaussman. -7 for 3 with RBI in the presence of 10 plates against Texas Shortstop Toronto Right.
My picks: I think Corey Cigar’s career has value here with his previous success against Kevin Gaussman. That’s why .600 On-Base Percentage of Cigars when Gaussman is confronted.