These teams have had playoff battles in the past, but this series will be about trying to make it in.
The visiting Texas Rangers (78-64) have unraveled since mid-August. A 72-48 record that included an AL West lead evaporated thanks to a 6-16 stretch. They are 0.5 games out of a playoff spot before beginning this series.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays (80-63) used that slide to hop back into an AL Wild-Card spot. Sitting only 1.5 games ahead of Texas, they can’t get too comfortable yet. The schedule gave them some solid matchups lately, but now, the real tests are popping back up.
Games like these shape MLB’s Octobers. Check out tonight’s Rangers vs. Blue Jays contest.
Match Details
Fixture: Texas Rangers @ Toronto Blue Jays
Date and Time: Monday, September 11, 7:07 p.m. EST
Venue: Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario
Rangers vs. Blue Jays Betting Odds
| Team | Run Line | Total | Money Line |
| Rangers | +1.5 (-175) | Over 8.5 (-115) | +114 |
| Blue Jays | -1.5 (+145) | Under 8.5 (-105) | -135 |
Starting Pitchers
Texas will take its chances with Dane Dunning tonight. The righty held Toronto to two runs over 6.0 innings during a June win. However, his last five starts have been Rangers losses.
Toronto is turning to Chris Bassitt today. He allowed five runs (three earned) across 3.2 innings when he faced Texas in June. Regardless, Bassitt is much better at home, bringing a 2.80 ERA on Canadian soil into this start.
Rangers vs. Blue Jays Prediction
Texas may be scuffling lately, but there’s little reason to expect the Rangers to falter tonight. Dane Dunning gets another crack at a lineup he’s shut down before, which may help him regain his confidence. Offensively, nobody in the American League scores more than Texas. This one will be tight, but Texas takes game one tonight as the bullpen hangs onto an early lead.
