Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox will be taking on their divisional rival Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in a Thursday showdown. New England Sports Network will be televising the action and the game will get underway at 12:37 p.m. ET.
Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays Odds
The Blue Jays are 24-24 against the spread (ATS)despite being only 20-29 straight up (SU). They’ve lost 6.3 units for moneyline bettors and 4.1 units ATS. Toronto has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Red Sox have gone 26-23 SU this year and are 19-29 against the spread. Overall, the club has lost 11.7 units for gamblers taking the moneyline over the early part of the season and 12.2 units ATS. Boston has covered the spread only once in its last seven games and the over has cashed in four of those seven.
Blue Jays games have an over/under record of 20-27-1 so far in 2019. The Red Sox have been a decent over bet with a total record of 28-19-1.
The right-handed Ryan Weber is projected to start for Boston. Weber (0-0, 1.13 ERA) has racked up seven punchouts in eight innings so far. He has yet to face the Blue Jays this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Blue Jays are giving Clayton Richard a chance to show what he’s got. This game represents the first MLB start of the year for the left-handed Richard.
Boston’s pitching staff allowed 4.8 runs per game and its starters own a 4.81 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 9.65 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.78, along with a K/9 of 10.56.
Red Sox hitters have slashed .255/.343/.433 on their way to 5.3 runs scored per game this year, including 4.3 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.6 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Third baseman Rafael Devers and right fielder Mookie Betts have led Boston’s offense. Devers is slashing .315/.383/.478 with six home runs, 27 RBIs, 33 runs and six stolen bases, while Betts has a .290 average with eight homers, 24 RBIs, 42 runs and five stolen bases.
For the home team, Toronto’s pitchers have given up 4.4 runs per game overall this season. The club’s starters have an ERA of 4.29, a WHIP of 1.39 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.9. The bullpen has a 3.59 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 9.5 K/9. In 11 games against AL East opponents, Blue Jays starters have an ERA of 3.58 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.94.
The Toronto hitters have produced 3.8 runs per contest, including 5.0 per game against divisional foes and 4.6 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .222/.282/.431 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The Blue Jays’ batters have been led by Freddy Galvis and Randal Grichuk. Galvis is hitting .263/.299/.423 with six home runs, 18 RBIs and 21 runs scored, and Grichuk’s line sits at .241/.297/.428 with eight homers, 19 RBIs and 24 runs scored.
The Blue Jays have lost 11.1 units and are 16-18 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 15 of those games, compared to 18 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers.
Red Sox vs. Blue Jays Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Blue Jays, ATS Winner – Red Sox, O/U – UNDER
Betting Notes
- Boston has logged 19 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Toronto has 15 XBH over its last five.
- The Red Sox have won three of their last four games SU.
- Toronto has recorded 19.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 19.4 over its last five.
- The Red Sox have hit 20 home runs in their last 10 games, including 12 over their last five.
- The Red Sox have a team OPS of .777 this season, including an OPS of .751 against left-handed pitchers. The Blue Jays’ OPS stands at .659 overall and .642 against southpaws.
