The Toronto Blue Jays are set to square off against their divisional rival Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET and New England Sports Network will be showing the matchup.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Toronto (+175) as the underdog to Boston (-185). The total is sitting at 10 runs and bettors can take the over for -115 and the under for -105. Bettors can also wager on the games spread with the current runline odds standing at -125 for the Blue Jays +1.5 runs and +105 for the Red Sox -1.5.
The Red Sox are 38-17 SU and 29-25 ATS. They’ve gained 11.1 units for moneyline bettors and 4.5 units against the spread (ATS). Boston has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Blue Jays are 25-30 SU and have gone 28-26 ATS. Overall, the teams lost 5.2 units for moneyline gamblers, but have gained 0.0 units ATS. Torontohas covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in three of those seven.
Neither team has positioned itself as a strong over/under bet this season. Red Sox games have an over/under record of 26-26-2 so far in 2018. The Blue Jays have an over/under record of 24-22-8.
Right-hander Sam Gaviglio is the projected starter for the visiting Blue Jays. Gaviglio is 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA and 18 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with six strikeouts and a 2.08 ERA against Boston this year.
The Red Sox are handing the ball to lefty Eduardo Rodriguez (5-1, 4.02 ERA), who’s got 65 punchouts and 19 walks to his name, as well as a 1.29 WHIP. Rodriguez is 1-0 with three strikeouts and a 4.05 ERA over one starts against Toronto this year.
Toronto’s pitchers have allowed 5.0 runs per game and its starters own a 5.32 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 8.07 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.79, along with a K-per-9 of 8.80.
Blue Jays hitters have slashed .229/.312/.407 on their way to 4.6 runs scored per game this season, including 3.4 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.6 per game over the teams last five outings (2-3 SU).
Right fielder Kevin Pillar and third baseman Yangervis Solarte continue to lead Toronto’s offense. Pillar is hitting .271/.315/.448 with four home runs, 21 RBIs, 27 runs and nine stolen bases, while Solarte has a .257 average with 11 homers, 33 RBIs and 26 runs scored.
Pillar enjoyed hitting against lefties on the road in 2017, putting up a slash line of .338/.397/.535 across 78 such plate appearances (compared to his total season line of .255/.300/.403).
For the home team, Boston’s pitching staff has given up 3.8 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has a 3.82 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 3.12, a WHIP of 1.18 and a K/9 of 9.6. In 34 divisional games, Red Sox starters have an ERA of 3.27 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.88.
Boston’s hitters are putting up 5.4 runs per outing, including 5.2 per game against divisional foes and 6.2 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .278/.361/.568 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that span.
Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez have led the Red Sox hitters this year. Betts is slashing .359/.437/.750 with 17 home runs, 37 RBIs, 52 runs and 13 stolen bases, while Martinez line is .323/.381/.657 with 17 homers, 45 RBIs and 34 runs.
Martinez enjoyed hitting at home last season, slashing .355/.439/.820 across 253 plate appearances (compared to his total season line of .303/.376/.690).
The Blue Jays have lost 5.3 units and are 12-9 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in seven of those games, compared to 10 that’ve gone under against left-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Red Sox have netted 13.2 units and are 25-17 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 20 of those games, compared to 20 that went under the total.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Red Sox, ATS Winner – Blue Jays, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The Blue Jays have lost three of their last four games SU while the Red Sox have won four of their last five SU.
- Toronto has recorded 16.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 18.4 over its last five.
- The Blue Jays have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games. The Red Sox have hit 18 over their last 10.
