The set-up: The 5-3 Toronto Blue Jays and the 3-6 Texas Rangers continue their three-game series on Saturday, after the Blue Jays opened a nine-game road trip with an 8-5 victory over the Rangers last night. Toronto has now won five of its last six games, while Texas has dropped five of its last seven.

The pitching matchup: Marcus Stroman (0-0, 7.20 ERA) will get the nod for Toronto and lefty Mike Minor (0-1, 3.86 ERA) gets the call for Texas. Stroman made his season debut against the New York Yankees on Sunday and received a no-decision after giving up four runs over five innings. Stroman was 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA for the Jays last season but was limited to only two starts in spring training because of a sore shoulder, " I telt really strong," he told reporters after the game. "I don't feel behind and I feel like my stuff is where I need it to be." He has gone 1-1 with a 5.73 ERA in two career starts against the Rangers. Minor's 2018 debut (Sunday's 8-2 loss to Houston, when allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings) was his first start since 2014. The 30-year-old was moved into the rotation by the Rangers after posting a career-low 2.55 ERA in relief with Kansas City last season. Minor is 2-0 in with a 1.69 ERA in four career games (two starts) against the Blue Jays.

The pick: I expect the Rangers to be in for a long season (team owns a patchwork starting rotation) and in fact, home has hardly been where the heart is, lately. Texas has gone 4-14 in its last 18 home games dating back to Sept. 9, 201 and the Jays come in averaging 5.50 RPG, the fifth-best mark in MLB. Texas has opened 1-4 at home in 2018, allowing 6.00 RPG. Make Toronto an 8* play.