The Toronto Blue Jays are set to face off against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday at Globe Life Field, with the first pitch slated for 7:05 p.m. CT.
The Rangers enter the matchup as -123 moneyline favorites, and the total runs for the game are set at eight.
The Blue Jays (72-78 SU, 76-74 RL, 77-70-3 O/U) will send right-hander Bowden Francis to the mound. The 28-year-old boasts an impressive 8-4 record with a 3.50 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across 25 appearances, including 11 starts this season.
On the other side, Texas (71-79 SU, 66-84 RL, 70-74-6 O/U) turns to left-hander Cody Bradford, who has a 5-3 record with a 3.97 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 12 appearances, primarily as a starter.
Michael Briggs has achieved a 64-46 record (+17.69 units) in premium picks over the past 30 days, showcasing his expertise. Follow him for updates on Twitter!
*This article was published before the conclusion of Tuesday’s game.
Blue Jays’ Francis: A Rising Star on the Mound
Toronto just completed a sweep of St. Louis, bouncing back from a tough series against the Mets. The Blue Jays, who had a day off on Monday, clinched a victory in the bottom of the eighth during Sunday’s game, despite both teams struggling with runners in scoring position.
Currently, Toronto stands at 34-41 on the road and 40-43 in night games this season. They have managed to go 27-26 since the All-Star break but are 5-7 in September. Sitting six games under .500, the Blue Jays are determined to finish the 2024 season with a winning record.
Francis takes the mound on Wednesday, coming off an outstanding performance where he allowed just one run on one hit over eight innings against the Mets. Opponents have struggled against him recently, hitting a mere .092 in his last six starts, where he allowed just six runs and 13 hits in a total of 43 innings. He holds a 5-3 record with a 3.24 ERA and 0.92 WHIP when pitching away, and has a 1.29 ERA in seven career innings against Texas.
For those looking to cash in on baseball, MLB Free Picks can provide valuable insights.
Texas Rangers: Aiming for a Comeback
The Rangers faced a tough series against Seattle, losing three out of four and falling eight games below .500. Their recent performance included a disappointing 7-0 loss on Sunday, where they managed only one hit over 27 at-bats. Seattle took an early lead and extended it with runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings.
At home, Texas holds a 41-34 record and is 44-52 during night games this year. Overall, they are 25-29 in the second half of the season and 7-7 in September. Although not a complete disaster, the season has not met expectations for the defending champions.
Bradford will be on the mound for Texas on Wednesday. In his last outing against Arizona, he struggled, allowing eight runs on nine hits, including three home runs, over 3.2 innings. Despite that performance, he has been solid at home with a 4-1 record, 2.57 ERA, and 0.78 WHIP across eight starts. Last season, Bradford held Toronto to just one hit and no runs in 2.2 innings.
Analyzing the Best Bets for Blue Jays vs. Rangers
The outlook for Wednesday’s game leans towards a Blue Jays victory against the Rangers.
Francis has been remarkable since August, yielding two or fewer runs in six of his last seven starts. He allowed just eight runs on 16 hits during this span, becoming the first pitcher in MLB history to permit no more than 27 baserunners while pitching over 48 innings in seven starts. This presents a challenge for the Rangers, who rank poorly in wRC+ (24th) and woBA (26th) over the past 30 days.
On the other hand, Bradford’s recent struggles could play a significant role in the outcome. If he falters against a potent Blue Jays lineup, which ranks among the top in wOBA, wRC+, and hard-hit percentage recently, the Rangers may find it difficult to compete. Furthermore, the Texas bullpen has shown signs of fatigue, reflecting a concerning 8.63 ERA in the past week.
Given these factors, the potential for a Blue Jays moneyline wager presents an appealing opportunity for bettors.
