The Toronto Blue Jays have found a way to inch their way past the Boston Red Sox into second place in the American League East Division. In the first two games of their series, the Blue Jays collected two victories. This set of MLB matchups could be the start of something big for Toronto.
The Blue Jays are in the middle of a seven-game homestand against AL East opponents and are eager to keep collecting wins. Boston has been playing better baseball recently after a slow start to the season. The Red Sox have won seven of their past 10 games.
Last game records
Boston lost 6-5 to Toronto Tuesday night. The Red Sox are 42-33 this season, while the Blue Jays are 42-32.
Matchup information
Red Sox vs. Blue Jays Betting Analysis
Boston Analysis
Anyone making MLB picks today will see right-handed starting pitcher Nick Pivetta head to the mound. Pivetta is 8-5 with a 3.25 ERA. He ranks 21st in the MLB in strikeouts by compiling 86 in 88.2 innings of work.
The Red Sox offense has been stellar. Boston ranks sixth in the league by driving in 4.77 runs per game and lead the league with a .261 batting average. Rafael Devers has been the batter leading the charge for the Red Sox. Devers has a team-high .331 batting average and also leads the team with 17 home runs.
Boston second baseman Trevor Story led the team by driving in 52 runs. The Boston Red Sox pitching staff, which struggled early in the season, has made a big turnaround. Boston ranks sixth in the league in ERA, which was 3.63.
Toronto Analysis
When it comes to MLB matchups, the Blue Jays’ power can be intimidating to many opposing pitching staffs. Toronto has five players — Vladimir Guerreo Jr. (18 home runs), George Springer (14), Bo Bichette (12), Matt Chapman (11), Alejandro Kirk (10) — who have hit 10 or more home runs. The Blue Jays rank fifth in the league with 98 home runs.
Toronto’s offense ranks seventh in the league by producing 4.76 runs per game. The Blue Jays are fourth in the league with a .257 batting average. Toronto Blue Jays has been excellent at home this season, compiling a 23-14 record. Despite being in second place in the division, the Blue Jays run differential is +29, which pales in comparison to the Red Sox, who are at +59.
Toronto will send right-handed pitcher Alek Manoah to the mound. Manoah is tied for first in the league with nine wins. He also is fourth in the league with a 2.05 ERA. Toronto has won six of the last seven games Manoah started.
Updates
The Blue Jays announced Tuesday that relief pitcher Nate Pearson will be shut down for three to four weeks. Boston still has pitcher Nathan Eovaldi on the 15-day IL.
- Boston is 42-33 against the run line.
- Toronto is 33-42 against the run line.
- The over is 30-38-7 in the Red Sox’ games this season.
- The over is 40-33-1 in the Blue Jays’ games this season.
- Boston is 20-12 straight up following a loss.
- Toronto is 19-22 straight up following a win.
Red Sox vs. Blue Jays Betting Preview
MLB odds have Toronto as a -155 favorite. The Red Sox are +132 on the moneyline. The over/under is set at 8.5.
Red Sox vs. Blue Jays Betting Prediction
While there is a lot of baseball left to be played, this is a fun matchup in the MLB standings. Manoah has been pitching well for the Blue Jays and it seems Toronto may be starting to heat up. With the Blue Jays in the midst of a long home stand against division opponents, Toronto won’t want to waste an outing with a strong starting pitcher.
The Blue Jays will back up Manoah with runs and earn a sweep of Boston at home. The Red Sox offense will make this game difficult for Manoah, but he will be able to count on run support from his teammates.
How to bet: Bet Toronto -155
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