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Rangers vs. Blue Jays Prediction and Odds for Saturday, April 9 (Fade Dade Dunning on the Mound in Toronto)

By Matt De Saro

Texas Rangers v Detroit Tigers
Texas Rangers v Detroit Tigers / Nic Antaya/GettyImages
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American League action continues Saturday afternoon when the Texas Rangers hit the road to take on the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre.

The Blue Jays won a shootout to open the season,10-8. It was an impressive comeback for the Jays after trailing 7-0 at one point. In the end, Teoscar Hernandez beat a throw to the plate to take the lead in the fifth inning. Jose Berrios started the game for Toronto but got shelled, lasting just ⅓ of an inning and giving up four earned runs. But, the bullpen played excellent overall and allowed just one run after the fifth inning. 

The Rangers started the season off the season on the wrong foot after winning just 60 games last year. Texas will be gunning for a win here to avoid going down 0-2 to start the year.

Here are the odds for this game, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook. 

Rangers vs. Blue Jays Odds, Run Line, and Total

Run Line

  • Rangers: +1.5 (-110)
  • Blue Jays: -1.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Rangers: +180
  • Blue Jays: -195

Total:

  • Total 9 (Over -110/Under -110)

Rangers vs. Blue Jays Prediction and Pick

Dane Dunning gets the nod for the Rangers in their second game of the season today while newcomer Kevin Gausman gets the ball for Toronto. The former is a huge question mark in my eyes heading into the season. He had a pretty awful 2021 with a 5-10 record, 4.51 ERA, and a 1.44 WHIP. For Ranger fans hoping that he would shake off that performance and be ready to go this year, keep dreaming.

Dunning posted a terrible 10.80 ERA in spring training after giving up eight earned runs in 6 ⅔ innings pitched. Dunning walked five, gave up 10 hits, and even recorded a HBP. Somehow he looked even worse than he did last year. To start the season, Dunning has no trust in my eyes. 

Gausman, on the flip side, is coming off a career year in San Francisco last year. He led the team to an improbable run where they finished with the best record in baseball. Gausman posted a 14-6 record with a 2.81 ERA and 1.04 WHIP for the Giants. The Jays brought him in hoping he could replicate that magic. Gausman had a solid spring, giving up two earned in six-inning while striking out three and walking none. 

Frankly, if Gausman can have a decent start and the bullpen doesn’t blow it, the Jays should cruise here. Dunning has shown nothing but regression since last season. Until he shows me something positive, he is on my autofade list for starting pitchers. 

Pick: Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 (-110) / Lean OVER 9 (-130)

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE

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