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In a matchup between two teams that are loaded with talent galore, the improved Texas Rangers will begin their 2022 season by traveling north to take on the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Let's take a sneak peek at our MLB odds series, where our Rangers-Blue Jays prediction and pick will be revealed.
For a historically great franchise like the Texas Rangers, the 2021 season was anything but enjoyable. After finishing the season with one of the worst records in all of baseball at 60-102, the Rangers officially hit rock bottom. Texas will look to rebound in 2022 with a road win at Toronto, as former Rockies starter Jon Gray will be called upon to pitch a quality game.
Toronto knows that they will be playing in one of the toughest divisions in baseball, and every game will be vital in punching their ticket to the playoffs this year. Getting the opening day nod on the bump will be former Twins All-Star Jose Berrios, who played his first season in a Blue Jays uniform in 2021 with a 5-4 record and a 3.58 ERA.
Here are the Rangers-Blue Jays MLB odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB odds: Rangers-Blue Jays Odds
Texas Rangers: +1.5 (-140)
Toronto Blue Jays: -1.5 (+116)
Over: 9 (-120)
Under: 9 (-102)
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Why The Rangers Could Cover the Spread
Indeed, the Rangers were ghastly to watch during the 2021 season. A slew of poor pitching and key injuries prevented the Rangers from being competitive whatsoever, as it was a season to forget. However, Texas made strides to improve their competitive positioning compared to the rest of baseball, including stealing skilled middle infielder Marcus Semien from the Blue Jays and signing him to a massive seven-year, $175 million dollar deal.
Another impressive name the Rangers were able to lure away is former Dodger shortstop Corey Seager, who not too long ago was the World Series MVP during LA's improbably run at a World Series. The duo of Seager and Semien should give Texas one of the more complete middle infields that you'll see this season.
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The signing of Jon Gray is a mysterious one, as the 30-year-old fireballer has shown stints of being a top pitcher in the league, but his inconsistency as a Rockie was all too present. Many believe that Coors Field was to blame for Gray's struggles, but he actually has fared worse out on the road in his career with a 4.65 ERA compared to that of his 4.54 ERA at home.
The Rangers spent a whopping $580.7 million dollars in guaranteed contracts during the course of the off-season, reiterating the organization's commitment to putting a winning product out on the field. With this record-spending offseason taking place, it would be a massive disappointment if Texas were to have a similar repeat to what they experienced in 2021. Texas could cover the spread in their season opener simply based on their roster overhaul and the amount of star power that now exists in that dugout.
Why The Blue Jays Could Cover the Spread
There hasn't been this much hype surrounding the Toronto Blue Jays since they won back-to-back World Series titles in 1992-1993, and for good reason. The youthful Blue Jays enter 2022 after winning 91 games and somehow found themselves being left out of postseason play in an American League East Division that saw three teams play well into October. It appears that the Blue Jays are set for success for many years to come, as the young, exciting Toronto lineup saw them lead the league in OPS at .796 and home runs with 262 while also finishing third in total runs scored with 846.
The bottom line is that this Blue Jays team has the making of winning the whole enchilada, as their juvenile squad should only improve as the season continues. Leading the Blue Jays' charge are a pair of players whose fathers made an impact in the majors many years ago. Entering 2022, Vladamir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette represent the next generation of baseball stardom and may end up being superior players than their elders Vlad Sr. and Dante.
Not to mention, Toronto added one of the best defensive third basemen in Matt Chapman to man the hot corner, and also will have former Astro George Springer manning the outfield grass at the Rogers Centre. Pitching wise, Kevin Gausman and Hyun Jin Ryu will provide Toronto with quality #2 and #3 starters following their ace in Berrios.
The Blue Jays concluded the 2021 season by going 4-1 at home, including compiling a record of 47-33 in 80 games. This could be a contributing factor in Toronto covering the spread today, as the Blue Jays are no slouch when it comes to playing in their home country.
Final Rangers-Blue Jays Prediction & Pick
This contest comes down to the pitching matchup. Berrios should have the edge against Gray, as the latter could end up being in for a long day against a supreme Blue Jays lineup that has the potential to be one of the best in the bigs. Toronto will defeat Texas by more than -1.5 runs. Hammer the Jays!
Final Rangers-Blue Jays Pick: Blue Jays -1.5 (+116)
