In a matchup between two of the better MLB teams, the Toronto Blue Jays are in an unfamiliar spot, at least recently. The Blue Jays (18-13) won 16 of 19 meetings against the Boston Red Sox last season. But Boston (18-14) won the first three MLB games on the schedule against them this year. Now, only a half-game separates them in the American League East MLB standings.
Quite remarkably, the series has highlighted the Red Sox’s clutch gene as they have won 13 games on the MLB schedule after trailing this season. Here is a breakdown of each team, starting pitchers, Blue Jays vs Red Sox odds, and MLB picks.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox Information
Toronto Blue Jays vs Boston Red Sox
Location of the game: Fenway Park, Boston, MA.
Date & Time: Thursday, May 4. 6:10 p.m. ET.
How to watch: Sportsnet | NESN | MLB.TV
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox Odds
Blue Jays vs Red Sox odds show the Blue Jays are favored on the moneyline at -165 and are -1.5 (-105) on the run line. The Red Sox’s MLB odds are +145 on the moneyline and +1.5 (-115) on the run line. The over/under is 8.5 runs with -115 odds on the over and -105 odds on the under.
The Blue Jays’ implied runs total is 5.0, with -120 odds on the under and -110 odds on the over. The Red Sox’s implied runs total is 3.5 runs with -120 odds on the over and -110 odds on the under.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox Betting Preview
The Blue Jays have shown they have one of the better offenses, ranking 11th with 4.81 runs per game and a .254 batting average and 14th with a .736 OPS. It is their pitching that has struggled, allowing 4.58 runs per game (16th), a .242 batting average against (13th), and a .718 opposing OPS (14th), MLB stats show.
That makes Thursday’s matchup a good one, with one of their better starters on the bump. Toronto is 9-10 away from home and 13-16-2 on over/unders this season. Generally, making a Toronto Blue Jays prediction has been fairly easy based on pitching matchups.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox are 12-7 at home and 22-10 on over/unders this season, partly because their pitching has suffered.
Boston is 25th in allowing 5.25 runs per game, 23rd with a batting average against of .258, and 22nd with an opposing OPS of .761, Boston Red Sox stats show. Their offense? Elite. The Red Sox are third in scoring with 5.85 runs per game, a batting average of .270, and OPS .800.
Starting Pitchers
Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays
Gausman is off to a strong start this season with a 2-2 record, 2.33 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 54 strikeouts in 38.2 innings pitched. He has not allowed a run in 15.2 innings.
Brayan Bello, Boston Red Sox
Bello has made three starts and has gotten increasingly better. He allowed five earned runs in his first start, then three after shaky command late in his second start, and then one earned run last time out. He is 0-1 with a 6.57 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 12.1 innings.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox Picks and Predictions
The over is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Boston and 12-2 in the last 14 meetings, regardless of location. An early handle on the game shows that 75% of bets are on the over, likely because of Bello’s start. But he has been good in short bursts, so it is up to the Red Sox’s bullpen. We’ll go under 8.5 (-110)
When making Toronto Blue Jays predictions, it would be pretty easy to pick Blue Jays moneyline and call it a day. It is not the sexiest Blue Jays vs Red Sox odds, but they have won eight of the last 11 in Boston and 20 of the last 27 overall.
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