Toronto Blue Jays at Texas Rangers 9/9/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Toronto Blue Jays open a three-game series on the road Friday versus the Texas Rangers. Toronto is 76-60 following its 4-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. With the win, Toronto has a lead of 4 ½ games over Baltimore for the last American League wild-card. The Blue Jays are third in the American League East 6 ½ game behind first place New York.

Catcher Alejandro Kirk is batting .302 to lead Toronto and has a team-high .385 on base percentage. First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr is the leader in home runs with 27 and in RBIs with 82, while shortstop Bo Bichette is the leader in hits with 151. On Friday, the Toronto Blue Jays will send Ross Stripling to the mound. The right-hander is 7-4 with a 3.03 ERA, 94 Ks and 19 BBs. 

Texas dropped to 59-77 following its 4-3 loss to the Houston Astros on Wednesday. Texas lost the game after throwing a wild pitch in the 10th inning with two outs and the Astros’ Jose Altuve scored from third base. Texas has lost 10 of the last 11 and the Rangers are fourth in the American League West, 28 ½ games behind first place Houston.

First baseman Nathaniel Lowe is batting .306 to lead Texas and has team highs in hits with 152 and on-base percentage at .360. Corey Seager is the leader in home runs with 29 and right fielder Adolis Garcia is the leader in RBIs with 84. On Friday, the Texas Rangers will send Dane Dunning to the mound. The right-hander is 3-8 with a 4.37 ERA, 119 Ks and 56 BBs.