Blue Jays vs. Rangers: Full series preview and pitching matchups

“0-1 from Dyson…
Bautista with a drive!
No doubt about it!”

October 14th, 2015 feels at once a day and a decade away. Game five of the American League Divisional Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers, especially the fireworks of the seventh inning, will live on in Toronto baseball history.

On Monday, the Rangers return for the first time since that night for a four-game series at the Rogers Centre.

So one last time (sure..), basque in the glory of that full inning.

The Blue Jays are coming off a significant series win in Tampa Bay, but did so in an unsteady manner. Toronto managed to ride a five-hit performance to a 5-1 win in the series finale on Sunday, thanks in large part to a three-run home run off the bat of Troy Tulowitzki, but a more complete offensive effort will be needed against the 14-11 Rangers.

Before addressing the four pitching matchups expected in this series, a quick look across the diamond at what the 2016 Rangers have to offer:

Across the Diamond: Texas Rangers

Entering play on Sunday, the Rangers sat 11th in total scoring league-wide, but found themselves in the bottom third of the league with just 20 home runs. A strong performance from their pitching staff has kept the Rangers above .500 thus far, but across the board, they’re consistently ranking towards the middle in all major statistical categories. None too high, none too low.

The great rookie outfielder Nomar Mazara has been a terror out of the number two spot, hitting .324 with two home runs and eight RBIs as Shin-Soo Choo remains on the disabled list. Rougned Odor is coming off a 3-for-5 game that raised his average to .283 while Elvis Andrus (.325 AVG) keeps hitting. The usual suspect Adrian Beltre continues to defy age with another strong start of his own.

Prince Fielder is another story, though. The high-priced DH is hitting just .207 with two home runs at the heart of the Rangers’ lineup.

Toronto does run into some good fortune as the great left-hander Cole Hamels started for Texas yesterday, making him the only pitcher the Blue Jays will avoid in this four game set.

Next: Series Opener: Dickey takes another swing...