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The Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox will continue their three-game series in Buffalo on Tuesday night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Red Sox-Blue Jays prediction and pick.
Boston got off to a hot start by taking the first game of this series, 13-4. The Red Sox jumped on Blue Jays starter Ross Stripling early and got a strong start from right-hander Nick Pivetta. The win was a big one for Boston amid a recent slump. The first-place club will look to build on their division lead, while the Blue Jays are hoping to climb the standings with just over two months to play.
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 ML (+120)
Toronto Blue Jays ML (-130)
Over 11.5 Runs (-105)
Under 11.5 Runs (-115)
Why The Red Sox Could Win
The Red Sox were reeling before their big win on Monday. Boston holds a slim 1.5-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East with a 57-38 record. The Blue Jays and New York Yankees have been hot of late, which adds even more pressure on this club as they look to return to the postseason. Boston's elite lineup will look to build on a bounce-back performance in the opener of this series.
The Red Sox put up 13 runs in the opener after scoring just one in each of their last two games against the Yankees. Although they have struggled of late overall, they have been terrific with wins in five of their last seven games against the Blue Jays. They have also won four of their last five on the road against Toronto. The Red Sox are 29-19 on the road this season thanks to a +0.60 average run differential.
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Boston will turn to right-hander Garrett Richards as it looks to clinch the series. Richards has had an up-and-down season with a 5-5 record and 4.91 ERA through 18 starts. His strikeout numbers have been well below his career average, which explains his lack of success. Richards has a 7.11 ERA over his last seven starts to date.
Why The Blue Jays Could Win
The Blue Jays are one of the youngest and most exciting teams in all of baseball. They've had a bit of a roller-coaster season, but they have won four of their last five games coming in. The Blue Jays are now just 3.5 games back of the second Wild Card spot with a 48-43 record. Toronto is seven games back of the Red Sox in the AL East and could use these next two games to get back into that race as well.
Despite the fact that they've split time between Florida and Buffalo this season, the Blue Jays have played well in home games. They are 5-2 over their last seven home games and have a +1.00 average run differential on the season. The Blue Jays' scoring average of 5.86 runs per game at home is best in the league. Toronto is led by Triple Crown candidate Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is having an MVP-caliber season.
Toronto will hand the ball to right-hander Thomas Hatch as it looks to even the series. Hatch will be making his first start and first appearance of the 2021 season. The 26-year-old right-hander was 3-1 with a 2.73 ERA in 17 appearances last season. The second-year pitcher will look to pick up where he left off in his rookie campaign against a division rival.
Final Red Sox-Blue Jays Prediction & Pick
The Red Sox have been one of the best teams in the AL this season. They may not be the most talented team when you look at the rosters, though. Toronto is a juggernaut in the making with a bunch of young sluggers who have destroyed opposing pitching this season. The Blue Jays lead the league in scoring at home and should have no problem putting up runs against a struggling Garrett Richards. Thomas Hatch was very productive last season and won't have to be perfect, because the Blue Jays will almost certainly provide adequate run support.
FINAL PICK: Toronto Blue Jays ML (-130)
