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The Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays will open a three-game set at Sahlen Field on Monday night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Red Sox-Blue Jays prediction and pick.
Boston is currently sitting atop the AL East standings despite a series loss against the New York Yankees over the weekend. Toronto is six games back of the Red Sox with a 48-42 record to date. The Blue Jays have been hot of late and could certainly use a solid series as they look to gain ground in the division heading into the final months of the season.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the Red Sox-Blue Jays odds.
MLB Odds: Red Sox-Blue Jays Odds
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Boston Red Sox +1.5 (-160)
Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 (+140)
Over 10.5 Runs (-118)
Under 10.5 Runs (-102)
Why The Red Sox Could Cover The Spread
The Red Sox have been one of the best teams in all of baseball at 56-38 on the season. Things haven't really gone their way recently, though, as they've lost three straight series against the Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, and rival Yankees. Boston is 1-4 over its last five games to date as well. The Tampa Bay Rays are now just a half-game back of them in the division.
The Red Sox have played well against Toronto, with wins in five of their last seven road games against the up-and-coming Blue Jays. The Red Sox have won four of their last six games against Toronto overall, which is good news for this struggling club. Boston is averaging five runs per game this season, which is the fifth-best mark in the majors. They enter with a 28-19 record and +0.43 average run differential on the road this season.
Boston will turn to right-hander Nick Pivetta for the series opener. Pivetta is having a solid year with a 7-4 record and 4.30 ERA through 18 starts. He has been serviceable for the Red Sox despite his wild inconsistencies. The veteran right-hander is 1-3 with a 5.15 ERA over his last seven starts. Pivetta allowed four earned runs in four innings of work against the Phillies in his last start.
Why The Blue Jays Could Cover The Spread
The Blue Jays are surging as they look to make a push to the postseason. They have improved their record to 48-42 thanks to wins in four of their last five games. The Blue Jays have won five of their last six games in Buffalo as well. Toronto's offense exploded with 25 runs scored during a recent three-game sweep over the Texas Rangers.
The Blue Jays are one of the most elite offensive clubs in the majors this season. They average 5.21 runs per game, which is the third-best mark in baseball. Toronto also averages a league-leading 5.90 runs per game at home. They have a +1.23 average run differential at Sahlen Field.
Toronto will hand the ball to right-hander Ross Stripling in an effort to get the winning streak to five games. Stripling is 3-5 with a 4.34 ERA through 15 starts this season. The veteran has allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven of his last nine starts. The Blue Jays starter will look to bounce back as he allowed four runs in 3 2/3 innings against the Rays in his last start.
Final Red Sox-Blue Jays Prediction & Pick
Boston is in the midst of an alarming slump, which has exposed the lack of high-quality pitching. Chris Sale's return will be huge for this club, but the truth is that they lack the depth to contain some talented offensive cubs. They've allowed a ton of runs lately and now face a team that scores the most runs in the league at home. Toronto has been tearing the cover off the ball, and I don't see them slowing down against a mediocre starter in Nick Pivetta. I expect Ross Stripling to be good enough to help his club secure the victory in the series opener.
FINAL PICK: Toronto Blue Jays ML (-128)
