The Toronto Blue Jays are officially in a lot of trouble. On Thursday, not only did they lose Game 1 to the Texas Rangers, but they also lost both Jose Bautista and Josh Donaldson to injuries. All of a sudden, the favorites to win the World Series look awfully vulnerable.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Blue Jays are certainly under the gun in this game, and it's a bit surprising that they are favored by such a high margin at -180.
A day after the total was just barely nipped at 7.5, the number has come up to a flat 8, which is exactly where Game 1 ended.
PITCHING MATCHUP
What's worse for the Jays is that they might be facing Texas' best pitcher on Friday as well. Cole Hamels will get the ball in a spot Rangers fans envisioned when they traded for him at the deadline.
Since joining Texas, the lefty is 7-1 and has led the team to a 10-2 record. We grant you, part of the reason he has been so successful is because the team has scored 6.2 runs per game for him, but Hamels has done his part, too with a 3.66 ERA.
Marcus Stroman has only made four starts since returning from a torn ACL, and he has been on fire. The youngster is 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA in what has amounted to literally be perfection.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"Obviously this is a momentum builder. Obviously you want to win every game, but when you are able to get one on Mr. Price, it's pretty good, especially the way some of these guys stepped up." – Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton following the Game 1 win in Toronto
SITUATIONAL BETTING
Sam Dyson wasn't scheduled to be the Rangers' closer, but he looks like he is now. The red-bearded man had a 1.15 ERA in 31 regular season appearances, and he was dominant in the ninth on Thursday to close out a win for the visitors.
PROP TALK
It was really tough to see Rougned Odor's surge at the plate against David Price coming. Yes, the 21-year old hit 16 homers on the season and batted .261, but he was in a pretty big slump coming into the playoffs, batting just .111 in his last five games of the regular season.
Don't just assume because he was successful on Thursday that he will once again be a success on Friday as well.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Jays are on the ropes, but the fact that they are less than -200 favorites in this game is a joke, even with Hamels on the mound. It's tough to say that the Rangers were so dominant in Game 1 when they only mustered a total of just five hits.
Hamels' postseason history is good, but Stroman is on fire right now and probably won't suffer the same fate as Price, who has historically had no luck against the Rangers anyway.
Look for Toronto, especially with Bautista and Donaldson back in the lineup for Game 2, to get back in the win column at home.
Toronto 4, Texas 3
The baseball betting odds for this Friday game were first available at BookMaker Sportsbook. The Blue Jays were set at -180 next to a total of 8. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this televised baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! Game 2 between the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays will start at 12:30 p.m. ET on Friday, October 9, 2015 at Rogers Centre. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
