The Boston Red Sox will be facing off against their AL East rival Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. New England Sports Network is in line to broadcast the matchup and the first pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. ET.
Boston Red Sox at Toronto Blue Jays Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Toronto (+165) as the underdog to Boston (-175). Gamblers can bet on the game’s total with odds posted at +105 for over 7.5 runs and -125 for under 7.5. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds standing at Red Sox -1.5 runs (-120) and Blue Jays +1.5 runs (+100).
The Blue Jays are 14-9 SU and 12-10 ATS. The team has gained 5.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 2.3 units against the spread (ATS). Toronto has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Red Sox, on the other hand, are 18-5 SU and have gone 13-9 ATS. In total, the team’s accumulated 11.1 units for gamblers taking the moneyline in the season’s early going and 4.8 units ATS. Boston has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Blue Jays games have an over/under record of 9-11-2 so far in 2018. The Red Sox have an over/under record of 12-9-1.
Left-hander Chris Sale will get the nod for the visiting Red Sox. Sale is 1-1 with a 1.86 ERA and 41 strikeouts. He has yet to face Toronto this year, but he made four starts against the Blue Jays in 2017, putting together a 2-1 record against them with a 1.67 ERA and 43 strikeouts.
The Blue Jays are sending righty Marco Estrada (2-1, 5.32 ERA) to the mound. Estrada has 18 punchouts and eight walks to his credit, as well as a WHIP of 1.36. Estrada made four starts against the Red Sox in 2017, compiling a 0-1 record with a 4.12 ERA and 15 strikeouts.
Boston’s pitchers have allowed 2.9 runs per game and its starters own a 2.59 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 9.61 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.29, along with a K/9 of 9.42.
The Red Sox offense has slashed .271/.344/.455 on its way to 5.7 runs scored per game in 2018, including 5.7 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Boston’s hitters have been led by outfielder Mookie Betts and first baseman Hanley Ramirez, who’ve collectively launched 11 home runs. Betts is slashing .350/.442/.750 with eight home runs, 17 RBIs and 25 runs scored, while Ramirez (.316/.375/.481) has produced three homers, 16 RBIs and 16 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Toronto’s pitching staff has allowed 4.1 runs per game overall this year. The club’s starting pitching staff has a 4.92 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has recorded a solid ERA of just 2.43, a WHIP of 1.28 and a K/9 of 8.9. In 13 divisional games, Blue Jays starters have an ERA of 4.80 and the bullpen’s ERA is 2.31.
The Toronto hitters are putting up 5.3 runs per outing, including 3.6 per game against divisional foes and 3.4 per game over their last five. The team has hit .170/.263/.297 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Blue Jays’ hitters have been led by outfielder Curtis Granderson and third baseman Yangervis Solarte. Granderson is hitting .321/.424/.571 with three home runs, 12 RBIs and 11 runs scored, and Solarte’s line sits at .237/.352/.513 with six homers, 11 RBIs and 14 runs.
Compared to his overall season slash line of .212/.323/.450, Granderson didn’t do very well against left-handed pitching at home last year, slashing .149/.212/.234 over 52 such plate appearances.
The Red Sox have gained 11.6 units and are 11-7 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 11 of those games, compared to six that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Blue Jays have netted 1.6 units and are 5-3 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over has hit in four of those games, compared to three that’ve gone under.
Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Red Sox, ATS Winner – Red Sox, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Boston has recorded 25.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 15.8 over its last five.
- The Red Sox have hit 17 home runs in their last 10 games. The Blue Jays have hit 11 over their last 10.
