Blue Jays @ Rangers Odds, Lines, Free Picks and Predictions – Free MLB Picks 7-24-11

Free MLB Picks, Tips and Odds: Toronto Blue Jays @ Texas Rangers Favorite, Moneyline, Total and Expert Predictions 7/24/11: The Toronto Blue Jays let another one get away from them last night in Arlington and they will now look to save some face when they commence the series finale on Sunday afternoon. It was Marc Rzepczynski (2-3) who picked up the loss on Saturday night, he led off the ninth by putting two Rangers on the bags. It was a gut wrenching loss that dropped the Blue Jays back down under the .500 mark and back to double digit games behind the wild card spot. In what looks to be another long off-season, the Jays need to address their shortcomings in the bull pen before spring training commences. They could stand to have close to 10 – 12 more “W’s” in the win column for if not for their inept and untimely contributions from the pen. Toronto does not possess an innings “eater”, they do not posses a lefty specialist, and they have no clear-cut closer. Frank Francisco has been an absolute dud this season and is nowhere near the hurler he was a couple seasons ago. Rauch has been dominant at times this season, but he is extremely inconsistent and gives up far too many long balls. The Jays have the offense to get them to high places, but until the pitching and relief pitching are established then they will continue to be a pretender.

The Texas Rangers may very well be the most dominant club in the game right now and they are becoming more lethal by the outing. Josh Hamilton is a dark horse to pick up the American League MVP designation but he is definitely considered the most valuable player in Arlington. Hamilton went 3-4 last night including a long double that he stretched into a triple. Hamilton, who has battle personal demons of his own, has resurrected his career and has become the face of the Texas Rangers franchise. He boasts power to all sides of the field and he possess a solid eye at the plate, he regularly makes free trips to first by the way of the walk. It was Mike Young who proved to be the hero last night as he smacked a walk off hit over the head of outfielder Cory Patterson in the bottom of the ninth. Young, who was drafted and apart of the Blue Jays franchise in his early career, has been a Jays killer ever since. He now has 4 walk off hits against the Toronto ball club in his career and a lifetime .298 AVG against. The Rangers would be thrilled to pick up the series sweep tonight and put some more distance between them and the surging Angels, currently a four game lead.

Tonight we will recommend a play on the Texas Rangers to wrap up this three game set and the series sweep. The Toronto Blue Jays struggles in Arlington have been well documented over the years and they have yet to solve their inept play in the Long Horn state. Brett Cecil (2-4, 5.59) will take the mound for the Jays tonight in what appears to be his final audition to stay with the big club. There are rumblings in and around the Toronto franchise that they may be at a point to start throwing some of their minor league pitching talent into the frenzy, but they are only going to offer one spot in the rotation to those minors. Cecil has battled inconsistency all season long and he too found a seat on the Las Vegas bench for a stint. The Rangers will counter with their prized possession in Alexi Ogando (10-3, 2.72), he is one of three Rangers pitchers to have double digit wins on the season. Ogando who was a dark horse to make this club outside of spring ball has risen to the occasion and has solidified himself in the 5-man rotation. He brings to the mound a high velocity ball with great movement and deception, his strike out ball is his sharp cutter. The southpaw should give Jays batters issues all night long as Toronto has never faired well, or consistent for that matter, against left handed pitchers all season long. The Jays want nothing more then to get out of Arlington and try and save face in Baltimore this week. Texas is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games and is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home. We will consider Alexi Ogando shutting down the Jays lethal bats for the majority of the night on way to a dominant victory and series sweep. Cheers!

Free MLB Picks and Expert Tips: Texas Rangers -195(Moneyline)

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