The Blue Jays had Game 4 in the bag early, scoring seven runs in the first three innings to cruise to the 8-4 victory. The home team has yet to get a win in this series, but the Jays will look to change that in Game 5, bringing a 53-28 regular season home record to the plate.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Blue Jays return home to Toronto and will have the home town fans behind them for this must-win Game 5.
It’ll be important for the Rangers to get on the board early to have a chance as they’ll need to take the fans out of the game. Home field advantage has meant nothing this entire series, but here in Game 5 it’s more important than ever.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Toronto burned their ace on Monday, turning to him to pitch three innings after R.A. Dickey was taken out of the game in the fifth.
Instead of being able to turn to Price to start Game 5, the Jays will instead look to youngster Marcus Stroman.
The righty made his postseason debut in Game 2, allowing four runs over seven innings. Stroman left the game with a lead, but ultimately was handed a no-decision as Toronto fell in extra innings.
Stroman will face-off against Cole Hamels again after he also allowed four runs in seven innings in Game 2, except two of his were unearned.
This series has the two pitchers pretty even. While Stroman has amazing stuff and will be an important part of this Toronto rotation for years, he lacks the experience of Hamels.
While it’s interesting the Rangers aren’t going with Jays’ killer Yovani Gallardo, it’s hard to question a starter with 14 post season starts and a 3.05 post season ERA when it’s a win-or-go-home situation.
QUOTE TO NOTE
The offense came to life for the Jays in Game 4 and Chris Colabello noted what makes the Blue Jays’ team so great, saying:
“We don’t have to rely on one guy, we don’t have to rely on one bat, we don’t have to rely on one pitcher, and I think that is what has made us special all year.”
LIVE/SITUATIONAL BETTING
Josh Donaldson, Kevin Pillar and Chris Colabello each homered on Monday as the Blue Jays’ offense finally showed what they were capable of, knocking Derek Holland out of the game after just two innings pitched.
Holland was a bad matchup against Toronto given their ability to hit lefties and Hamels will have to contend with that on Wednesday as well.
The Jays are a lineup stacked with right-handed hitters.
For Texas, they got Adrian Beltre back in the order on Monday. The veteran third baseman helps lengthen the lineup and went 2-for-4 as the team nearly got back in the game late against Price.
PROP TALK
Josh Donaldson has a pair of home runs this series, his first came in Game 2 against Hamels. This postseason the likely AL MVP saw Hamels for the first time and handled him quite well.
Historically, Edwin Encarnacion has hit well against Hamels, though he went hitless against him on Friday.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Texas is at a disadvantage playing this game in Toronto where the Blue Jays have been so good. The Rangers did take two there to start this series though so there’s always hope. They also have the veteran hurler on their side.
Still, I cannot go against the Jays’ offense at home after what they showed in the first three innings of Game 4. Toronto’s bats have carried them all year and they came through when the team’s backs were against the wall.
Toronto 6, Texas 4
The MLB lines for this contest will first be released by BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The ballgame pitting the Texas Rangers versus the Toronto Blue Jays will commence Wednesday, October 14, 2015, at 4:07 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre. The matchup will be televised regionally on FOX Sports 1.
