Both Texas and Toronto are American League playoff hopefuls, so every win is important as they continue a big series north of the border on Wednesday in a matchup of southpaw pitchers. It could be a wild card preview.

Nitrobetting checks out the game in this preview. Get a complete look at the game information, team and player statistics, and the latest MLB odds. We also deliver timely betting trends and predictions that help you secure the best picks.

Rangers vs. Blue Jays Game Information

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— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 13, 2023

• When: Wednesday, September 13, 2023, 7:07 PM ET
• Where: Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON
• TV: BSSW, Sportsnet, MLBN
• Radio: 96.3 Big FM (Rangers) // 105.3 The Fan FM (Blue Jays)
• Live Stream: MLB.tv
• MLB Odds: Rangers (+100) // Blue Jays (-122)

READ MORE: Rays vs. Orioles MLB Odds, Preview and Prediction – September 14, 2023

Why bet on the Texas Rangers?

If you are going to play Texas, now is as good a time as any as the Rangers remain without AL Rookie of the Year candidate Josh Jung and fellow All-Star outfielder Adolis Garcia, who is among the AL leaders in RBI. Neither will play here but the team hopes both are back before the end of the regular season.

Garcia injured his knee in last Wednesday’s loss to the Astros when he leapt for a ball in right field and landed awkwardly on his right leg. He was placed on the 10-day injured list one day later. Jung, who broke his thumb fielding a line drive vs. Miami on Aug. 6, has started to field groundballs and hit off a tee in the last week. He’s expected to meet with a hand specialist on Thursday; if he’s “released,” Manager Bruce Bochy said, Jung can start to face live pitching.

It’s the lefty Montgomery (8-11) on the hill for Texas. Montgomery yielded five runs on eight hits and a walk over 5.2 innings last Friday, striking out six and taking a loss against the Athletics. Montgomery allowed two runs through four innings before giving up a homer in each of the next two frames. It was the first time he allowed more than one home run in a start since May 16 with St. Louis and his season ERA was raised to 3.62 through 161.2 innings. Over his last three starts, Montgomery has been tagged with 14 runs in just 14.2 frames.

Montgomery is 4-1 with a 4.00 ERA in 11 career games vs. Toronto. His first start this year back on April 2 with St. Louis was against the Jays and Montgomery allowed three runs over five in a win. He has seen far better ERA results on the road (2-6, 3.08 ERA in 13 G/GS) than at home (6-5, 4.10 ERA in 15 G/GS) in 2023 both with St. Louis and Texas.

Texas has scored at least 10 runs in 24 games this season, one shy of tying the club record of 25 G in 2008. The Rangers are looking to take the season series against the Blue Jays for the 1st time since 2012 (6-3).

Why bet on the Toronto Blue Jays?

Alek Manoah was set to be Toronto’s ace this year off an All-Star 2022 campaign but he will not pitch again in the majors after a disastrous season. Manoah was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo a month ago and was cleared of any health issues last week after having testing done and meeting with multiple specialists. However, the righty hasn’t thrown off the mound in a month.

Jays first baseman Brandon Belt is dealing with lower back issues and was placed on the IL Tuesday. Spencer Horwitz will start for Belt going forward most nights. Over 10 Major League games (as of Tuesday), Horowitz has gone 8-for-26 (.308) with a double, a homer and four RBI.

Catcher Alejandro Kirk was off Tuesday but should play Wednesday. Over his last 36 games, he has batted .301 (34-for-113) with nine doubles, three home runs, 15 RBI, and a 16BB/13K ratio (.849 OPS). His 0.88 BB/K rate for the season is 7th best among AL hitters (min. 300 PA).

George Springer leads all current Blue Jays with 110 career contests vs. the Rangers. He has gone 118-for-440 (.268) with 16 doubles, one triple, 28 home runs, and 67 RBI for an .857 OPS. Bo Bichette is a career 25-for-79 (.316) with nine doubles, a triple, four home runs, and 13 RBI across 19 meetings (.957 OPS) vs. the Rangers.

Lefty Yusei Kikuchi (9-5, 3.57 ERA) gets the call for Toronto. Kikuchi came away with a no-decision last Friday in the Blue Jays’ 5-4 win over the Royals, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out eight. Kikuchi hasn’t won in over a month, but he pitched well enough Friday, generating 32 called or swinging strikes on 88 pitches. During his winless streak, Kikuchi has posted a 3.24 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 41:9 K:BB through 33.1 innings.

Kikuchi faced the Rangers on April 4 and allowed two earned runs in two innings out of the bullpen. Over 5 career appearances (4 starts) vs. Texas, he is 3-0 with a 3.48 ERA (8 ER/20.2 IP) and 18 strikeouts.

Rangers vs. Blue Jays Betting Trends

• Rangers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games.
• Texas is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games against Toronto.
• The total went over in 4 of Arizona’s last 5 games on the road.
• Chicago is 4-1 SU in the last 5 games.
• Cubs are 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
• The total went in 8 of the Cubs’ last 10 games.

Rangers vs. Blue Jays Betting Prediction

Rangers 4, Blue Jays 3.

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