Blue Jays vs Rangers

The Blue Jays head into Texas red hot and need to take advantage of a struggling Texas Rangers if they want to secure a postseason spot.

His second appearance was out of the bullpen where he allowed a leadoff single to [Randal Grichuk](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grichra01.shtml) who scored on an RBI triple by Springer. Gausman has made eight career appearances (seven starts) against the Rangers and has posted a 3-2 record with a 3.11 ERA. Gausman made his Blue Jays debut earlier this season against the Rangers where he was still working out the kinks, picking up a no-decision when he surrendered three runs on eight hits over five innings. Arihara had a rough 2021 campaign as he posted a 6.64 ERA over just ten starts and spent the majority of the 2022 season playing for the Round Rock Express in Triple-A for the Rangers. He needed just eight pitches to get a pair of flyouts and ground out to get through his first appearances, however, struggled in his second time taking the mound; Stripling surrendered three walks, along with a single that led to a pair of runs in the Blue Jays first loss of the season. Stripling has shown great control on his pitches as he has allowed more than one walk in just two of those 14 starts and has now given the club four consecutive quality starts. This will be the first time that Arihara has faced off against the Blue Jays as the former Nippon Professional Baseball league pitcher came over to North America for the 2021 season. In total, Dunning has a career record of 1-0, with a 3.60 ERA over his two starts against the Blue Jays. Dunning started the second game of the opening series picking up the loss when he tossed five innings surrendering three runs on five hits over five innings, which included a [Bo Bichette](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bichebo01.shtml) home run. The right-hander has made just one prior appearance at that field, which was his last start as a Los Angeles Dodger back in 2020. These are the series going down the stretch that the club needs to step on the neck of their opponents and not just win the series but sweep them. The Blue Jays head into Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas for a weekend series against the struggling Texas Rangers.

The Toronto Blue Jays are coming off a big series win against the Baltimore Orioles, taking three of the four games and padding their lead over the O's in ...

Dane Dunning (3-8, 4.37 ERA): Dunning has been getting hit hard and often since pretty much the start of August. Ross Stripling (7-4, 3.03 ERA): Stripling has been impressive since becoming a permanent member of the Jays’ rotation back in June. Even though Stripling has been pitching very well, he doesn’t have overpowering stuff and is capable of giving up a few runs here or there. The Jays rank third in batting average and fifth in OPS since the start of September. Even though I don’t have a strong feeling on the total, I would lean towards the Over before it gets to 8.5. The right-hander hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in a start or relief appearance since May 7. And frankly, that’s a pretty fair price on the Jays considering the starting pitching matchup. While it’s a small sample size, Bo is 3-5 in his career with two dingers in his career vs. The right-hander has pitched to an expected ERA of 4.44 and is giving up a .251 expected batting average to opponents. The Rangers have allowed the third most runs in the American League. Bichette and the Jays will try to carry that momentum into their series opener against the Rangers. With Bo finding his flow, it’s no surprise that our best bet for tonight involves the Blue Jays shortstop.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Bo Bichette homered for the fifth time in the last four games, Danny Jansen hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the ninth inning and the ...

Rangers: García was out of the starting lineup for the second game in a row. was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain. Bichette then hit a grounder fielded by Jung on the run before his quick backhanded flip for a forceout at second. Seager followed with an RBI single to snap an 0-for-25 slump for the All-Star shortstop in the first season of his $325 million, 10-year deal. Bichette’s 23rd homer was a two-run shot in the third inning that put the Blue Jays up 3-0. With a runner on second, the right-hander Romano struck out Jung and got pinch-hitter Adolis Garcia on an game-ending flyout.

Jansen's RBI single in the ninth inning served as the game-winning hit, as the Blue Jays dodged a late rally from the Rangers and took the series opener 4-3.

With two outs in the sixth inning, the half-billion dollar middle infield of the Rangers strung some hits together off of Stripling. The only mistake he made through those first 18 batters was allowing a solo home run to Jace Jung in his first at-bat in the big leagues. It was his fifth home run in his last four games, proving his ability to carry the offense on his back if need be. The Blue Jays stranded the bases loaded in the 6th and also a one-out triple by Bo Bichette in the 8th. Bichette hit his 23rd home run of the season off a slider from Dane Dunning in the third inning, as he hit it to where he hits really well in right field. Nonetheless, the Blue Jays were able to rebound, and it was bottom-of-the-order bats who got the job done.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- — Bo Bichette went deep again for the playoff-contending Toronto Blue Jays, who then beat Texas with some small ball late.

[coming down awkwardly when leaping at the wall on ](https://www.mlb.com/video/jose-altuve-homers-24-on-a-fly-ball-to-right-field-66x6vl) [Jose Altuve](http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/31662/jose-altuve)'s homer in Houston on Tuesday night. [Kevin Gausman](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32667/kevin-gausman) (11-9, 3.12 ERA) has gone 3-0 over his past four starts — and the Blue Jays have won each of those games. RHP [Kohei Arihara](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/4711414/kohei-arihara) (1-2, 5.29) makes his fourth big league start since Texas brought him up from Triple-A Round Rock on Aug. ... .INF/OF [Brad Miller](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32206/brad-miller) was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hip strain, creating an opening roster spot for Jung. [Raimel Tapia](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/33264/raimel-tapia) drew a leadoff walk in the ninth off [Jose Leclerc](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/33926/jose-leclerc) (0-2), then stole second base after [Santiago Espinal](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/39924/santiago-espinal) was unable to get a bunt down. With a runner on second, the right-hander Romano struck out Jung and got pinch-hitter [Adolis Garcia](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/35537/adolis-garcia) on an game-ending flyout. made a running catch near the line of [Jonah Heim](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/33842/jonah-heim)'s slicing flyball. [expected to finish this season as the primary third baseman](https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-canada-toronto-texas-rangers-edee5b95295034213f37b86b108c9e80) for the Rangers. [Bo Bichette](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/38904/bo-bichette) went deep again for the playoff-contending [Toronto Blue Jays](/mlb/team/_/name/tor/toronto-blue-jays), who then beat Texas with some small ball late. was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain. ... Jung is the seventh player to make his big league debut this season for the Rangers. Bichette's 23rd homer was a two-run shot in the third inning that put the Blue Jays up 3-0.

The Toronto Blue Jays are coming off a big series win against the Baltimore Orioles, taking three of the four games and padding their lead over the O's in ...

Dane Dunning (3-8, 4.37 ERA): Dunning has been getting hit hard and often since pretty much the start of August. Ross Stripling (7-4, 3.03 ERA): Stripling has been impressive since becoming a permanent member of the Jays’ rotation back in June. Even though Stripling has been pitching very well, he doesn’t have overpowering stuff and is capable of giving up a few runs here or there. The Jays rank third in batting average and fifth in OPS since the start of September. Even though I don’t have a strong feeling on the total, I would lean towards the Over before it gets to 8.5. Tonight, Stripling stares across at a Texas lineup that has some big names but isn’t deep and is struggling against right-handed hurlers. The right-hander hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in a start or relief appearance since May 7. And frankly, that’s a pretty fair price on the Jays considering the starting pitching matchup. While it’s a small sample size, Bo is 3-5 in his career with two dingers in his career vs. The Rangers have allowed the third most runs in the American League. Bichette and the Jays will try to carry that momentum into their series opener against the Rangers. With Bo finding his flow, it’s no surprise that our best bet for tonight involves the Blue Jays shortstop.

Bo Bichette homered for the fifth time in the last four games, Danny Jansen hit a tie-breaking RBI single in the ninth inning and the playoff-contending ...

Bichette's 23rd homer was a two-run shot in the third inning that put the Blue Jays up 3-0. Seager followed with an RBI single to snap an 0-for-25 slump for the all-star shortstop. He might have earned that opportunity in spring training, but needed surgery in February to repair a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. With a runner on second, the right-hander Romano struck out Jung and got pinch-hitter Adolis Garcia on an game-ending flyout. the first team below the American League's three wild-card spots, with their 16th win in 22 games. Raimel Tapia drew a leadoff walk in the ninth off Jose Leclerc (0-2), then stole second base after Santiago Espinal was unable to get a bunt down.

The Toronto Blue Jays are coming off a big series win against the Baltimore Orioles, taking three of the four games and padding their lead over the O's in ...

Dane Dunning (3-8, 4.37 ERA): Dunning has been getting hit hard and often since pretty much the start of August. Ross Stripling (7-4, 3.03 ERA): Stripling has been impressive since becoming a permanent member of the Jays’ rotation back in June. Even though Stripling has been pitching very well, he doesn’t have overpowering stuff and is capable of giving up a few runs here or there. The Jays rank third in batting average and fifth in OPS since the start of September. Even though I don’t have a strong feeling on the total, I would lean towards the Over before it gets to 8.5. The right-hander hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in a start or relief appearance since May 7. And frankly, that’s a pretty fair price on the Jays considering the starting pitching matchup. While it’s a small sample size, Bo is 3-5 in his career with two dingers in his career vs. The right-hander has pitched to an expected ERA of 4.44 and is giving up a .251 expected batting average to opponents. The Rangers have allowed the third most runs in the American League. Bichette and the Jays will try to carry that momentum into their series opener against the Rangers. With Bo finding his flow, it’s no surprise that our best bet for tonight involves the Blue Jays shortstop.

New team, new series to win. Unfortunately, we have a roster move: Blue Jays say it's a left hamstring strain for Gurriel. Move is retroactive to Sept 8, ...

Josh Smith - LF Josh Jung - 3B Blue Jays say it’s a left hamstring strain for Gurriel.

Toronto Blue Jays (77-60, third in the AL East) vs. Texas Rangers (59-78, fourth in the AL West). Arlington, Texas; Saturday, 7:05 p.m. EDT. PITCHING PROBABLES: Blue Jays: Kevin Gausman (11-9, 3.12 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 170 strikeouts); Rangers: Kohei ...

[Bo Bichette](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/38904/bo-bichette) is 19-for-42 with four doubles, a triple and six home runs over the last 10 games. [Marcus Semien](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32146/marcus-semien) is 12-for-42 with a home run and four RBI over the past 10 games. [Toronto Blue Jays](/mlb/team/_/name/tor/toronto-blue-jays) (77-60, third in the AL East) vs. [Lourdes Gurriel Jr](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/36040/lourdes-gurriel-jr).: day-to-day (hamstring), [Tayler Saucedo](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/42683/tayler-saucedo): 60-Day IL (hip), Hyun-Jin Ryu: 60-Day IL (forearm), [Nate Pearson](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/39646/nate-pearson): 60-Day IL (mono) The matchup Saturday is the fifth meeting between these teams this season. [Brad Miller](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32206/brad-miller): 10-Day IL (hip), [Josh Sborz](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/36178/josh-sborz): 60-Day IL (right elbow), Joe Barlow: 15-Day IL (finger), Spencer Howard: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Jon Gray: 15-Day IL (side), [Mitch Garver](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/33667/mitch-garver): 60-Day IL (forearm), [Eli White](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/39963/eli-white): 60-Day IL (wrist) Toronto has gone 39-31 in road games and 77-60 overall. [George Springer](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32078/george-springer) has 18 doubles, three triples, 19 home runs and 58 RBI for the Blue Jays. [Data Skrive](https://www.dataskrive.com/) and data from [Sportradar](https://www.sportradar.com). [Kevin Gausman](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32667/kevin-gausman) (11-9, 3.12 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 170 strikeouts); Rangers: [Kohei Arihara](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/4711414/kohei-arihara) (1-2, 5.29 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, 13 strikeouts) [Texas Rangers](/mlb/team/_/name/tex/texas-rangers) (59-78, fourth in the AL West) The Blue Jays have the highest team on-base percentage in the AL at .326.

Here are the post-game notes from the Texas Rangers' 4-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night at Globe Life Field.

MISCELLANEOUS: Jonah Heim threw out 2 runners on steal attempts of 2nd base tonight, his 1st career game with multiple caught stealing from behind the plate…Rangers failed to work a walk tonight, just 11th time this season to record zero walks in a game (last 8/30 vs. JOSH JUNG lifted a towering solo home run to left field in the 1st plate appearance of his Major League career to lead off the 3rd inning, joining Jurickson Profar on 9/2/12 at CLE as the only Rangers to ever hit a home run in their 1st career at-bat...Jung is the 6th player in MLB this season to homer in the 1st plate appearance of a MLB debut, with CIN’s Spencer Steer on 9/2 vs. HOU)…tonight’s game was the 1st played with the roof open at Globe Life Field since a 3-1 Rangers’ win on 4/30 vs. BO BICHETTE went 2-for-4 with a 2-run homer, triple, and 3 RBI…hit his 3rd career triple and 1st since 6/2/21 vs. COL being the last to do so…added a single and stole 2nd base in the 7th, joining Anderson Tejeda on 8/6/20 at OAK (2-for-4, HR, SB) as the only players in club history to record 2+ hits, a home run, and a stolen base in a Major League debut…Jung’s career-opening blast left his bat at a launch angle of 41° according to Statcast, T2nd-highest launch angle of any HR hit at Globe Life Field in 2022 (43°, Brad Miller on 5/12 vs. lead in that category, has a franchise-record 18 one-run saves this season…no batter drew a walk until Alejandro Kirk’s free pass with 2 outs in the 6th. TOR in 2021)…falls to 11-31 in games decided by one run, matching club record for one-run defeats in a season (also 1988). Texas since 2013, going 41-22 over that span including 3-1 in 2022. went 2-for-4 with a double, his first extra-base hit in September...the double was his career high 30th of the campaign, as he fell just short of the mark in 2019 (26) and 2021 (29)...with 27 home runs, he is close to joining Marcus Semien (2021) as the only Blue Jays since 2017 to have 30+ HR and 30+ 2B in a season. COREY SEAGER snapped his 0-for-25 skid with an RBI single in the 6th and game-tying RBI double in the 8th…had failed to record a hit in 5 straight games dating back to Saturday, matching the longest hitless span of his career (also 5 G from 8/28-9/2/16)…Seager’s 74 RBI this season are already the 3rd-most of his career (87-2019, 77-2017) and his 43 RBI at home are tied with Adolis García for most among Rangers. Toronto, and is in danger of dropping season series with the Jays for a 2nd straight year (2-4 vs. MARCUS SEMIEN extended his on-base streak to 20 straight games with a 2-out double in the 6th inning…it remains the longest active on-base streak in the Major Leagues and is the 3rd such streak of 20+ G by a Ranger this season (also 25-García, 22-Lowe).

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Bo Bichette went deep again for the playoff-contending Toronto Blue Jays, who then beat Texas with some small ball late.

Rangers: García was out of the starting lineup for the second game in a row. was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain. … .INF/OF Brad Miller was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hip strain, creating an opening roster spot for Jung. The Rangers had played 54 home games in a row with the roof closed. Bichette’s 23rd homer was a two-run shot in the third inning that put the Blue Jays up 3-0. … Jung is the seventh player to make his big league debut this season for the Rangers. With a runner on second, the right-hander Romano struck out Jung and got pinch-hitter Adolis Garcia on an game-ending flyout. He might have earned that opportunity in spring training, but needed surgery in February to repair a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. Seager followed with an RBI single to snap an 0-for-25 slump for the All-Star shortstop. Raimel Tapia drew a leadoff walk in the ninth off Jose Leclerc (0-2), then stole second base after Santiago Espinal was unable to get a bunt down. “A great walk, and stealing second base and the long flyball to move him over to third base, it made my job easier,” Jansen said. the first team below the American League’s three wild-card spots, with their 16th win in 22 games.

The pregame narrative: Bo Bichette has been on a tear in September, Kevin Gausman has a chance to rack up punchouts and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is faced with a ...

We mentioned how much Texas’ starter struggles with hard contact — Guerrero’s hard-hit % and average exit velocity are both in the 94th percentile in MLB. For context, the league-worst hard hit % among qualified pitchers this year is 48.1% (German Marquez). Bichette’s otherworldly 386 wrC+ in September has been forged by 10 extra-base hits including six home runs. No, that’s not a typo and yes, those are the best numbers of any player this month. [Skip Advertisement] is faced with a pitcher who gives up a tremendous amount of hard contact.

The Toronto Blue Jays look to secure a series win against the Texas Rangers on Saturday.

Toronto’s scored first and won in six of his last nine road starts. The team’s also been ahead after three innings in three of its last five contests. His average and SLG percentage are tops in all of baseball over that stretch. The Blue Jays lineup has also been performing well as of late. He owns a 5.29 ERA in four appearances this year and his career numbers are even worse. The pregame narrative: Bo Bichette continued to produce and led Toronto to victory on Friday night.

The Toronto Blue Jays look to secure a series win against the Texas Rangers on Saturday. The pregame narrative: Bo Bichette continued to produce and led ...

Toronto’s scored first and won in six of his last nine road starts. The team’s also been ahead after three innings in three of its last five contests. His average and SLG percentage are tops in all of baseball over that stretch. The Blue Jays lineup has also been performing well as of late. He owns a 5.29 ERA in four appearances this year and his career numbers are even worse. The pregame narrative: Bo Bichette continued to produce and led Toronto to victory on Friday night.