Jays/Rangers Series Preview

· Yahoo Sports

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 21: A detail view of a Texas Rangers hat is shown during the eighth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Field on August 21, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images

We have a three game series with the Rangers starting tonight.

The Jays (and Rangers) are two games back of the last Wild Card spot held by the Guardians (who are tied with the White Sox for the top of the AL West, so catching with either would work, though the White Sox hold the tiebreaker over the Jays, where the Jays hold the tiebreaker with the Guardians). The Jays also have to finish ahead of the Rangers.

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Starting pitchers:

  • Tonight, 8:00 Eastern: Dylan Cease (11-5, 2.38) vs Kumar Rocker (5-11, 4.54).
  • Saturday, 7:00 Eastern: José Soriano (12-7, 3.56) vs Cal Quantrill (9-5, 2.90).
  • Sunday, 2:30 Eastern: TBD, some sort of bullpen day with Spencer Arrighetti (8-9, 4.91) vs. Jacob deGrom (11-9, 3.79).

I’m still not a fan of bullpen days.

The Rangers are 11th in the AL in runs per game at 4.17 (Jays are last at 4.05).

And the Rangers are also 11th in the AL in runs allowed per game at 4.30 (Jays are 6th at 3.92).

The Rangers are 8-7 in September and are just off a four-game win streak (they lost yesterday to the Red Sox).

Unlike the Tigers, the Rangers record (76-77) is much better than than Pythagorean record (72-81).

Tigers top hitters:

  • Ezequiel Durán, who has played every position other than catcher, this year, hitting .268/.329/.436 with 17 home runs, 43 walks and 131 k with a 4.4 bWAR. He’s an excellent defensive player at short and second.
  • Corey Seager, SS. .234/.325/.434 with 18 home runs, 44 walks and 92 strikeouts, 3.1 bWAR.
  • Jake Burger, 1B. .233/.305/.424 with 26 home runs, 52 walks and 156 strikeouts, 2.0 bWAR.
  • Josh Jung, 3B. .298/.361/.449 with 10 home runs, 33 walks and 73 strikeouts, 1.8 bWAR.
  • Joc Pederson, DH. .235/.329/.487 with 26 home runs, 49 walks and 102 strikeouts, 1.7 bWAR.

Bullpen:

  • Jacob Latz: 2.11 ERA, 30 saves, 4 blown. Batters are hitting .146/.218/.270 against him.
  • Tyler Alexander: 3.33, 4 saves, 2 blown, 13 holds. Batters are hitting .254/.315/.338 against him.
  • Jakob Junis: 3.66 ERA, 6 saves, 2 blown, 18 holds. Batters are hitting .244/.309/.338 against him.
  • Robby Ahlstrom: A lefty. 6.08, 7 holds, 1 blown. Batters are hitting .264/.346/.465 against him.

The Jays, pretty much, have to win this series, if they are going to make the playoffs.

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