Blue Jays vs Rangers Picks and Prediction – 6/17/2023

In Saturday afternoon MLB action, the Toronto Blue Jays will square off against the Texas Rangers from Globe Life Park. The Blue Jays (38-32) have split their first 38 road games and are 11 games behind AL East Division leading Tampa Bay. Last night, DH Dan Jansen delivered a two-run shot in the fifth inning to propel Toronto to a 2-1 road victory against Texas.

Toronto manager John Schneider has yet to announce a starting pitcher for this matchup. The Blue Jays currently rank 10th in the majors with a 3.95 ERA and a respectable 1.26 WHIP.

The Texas Rangers have lost SP Jacob deGrom for the season with an elbow injury and hold a four-game lead over Houston for the top spot in the AL West Division. During last night’s home loss, Texas batters failed to get a hit in nine at-bats with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base. OF Leody Taveras connected on a solo shot for the Rangers (42-27), who fell to 22-13 at home.

The Rangers will counter with twenty-eight year old righty Dane Dunning (5-1 2.76 ERA) in the middle game of this series. Through 58 plus innings, Dunning has limited opponents to three home runs while posting a solid 1.19 WHIP.