The Toronto Blues Jays will look to replicate their record-setting night as they face the Boston Red Sox. It is time to continue our MLB odds coverage with a Blue Jays-Red Sox prediction and pick.
The Blue Jays destroyed the Red Sox 28-5 on Friday at Fenway Park. Yes, you read that correctly. The score was 28-5. The Blue Jays started the night innocently enough when Matt Chapman clobbered a two-run bomb to left field in the second. The homer was his 15th of the year, giving the Jays a 2-0 lead. Then, things started to spiral out of control in the third inning. The Jays already led 6-0 when Raimel Tapia approached the plate with the bases loaded. Next, he sent a drive to deep center field and the Red Sox center fielder Jarren Duran misplayed the ball completely, and it sailed over his head. Tapia rounded the bases quickly before the Sox could get to it for an inside-the-park grand slam.
Teoscar Hernandez added a solo home run (his 12th) in the fourth, and Danny Jensen blasted a three-run bomb (his seventh) in the same inning to give Toronto a 14-0 lead. Obviously, Toronto never looked back on their way to a club-record 28 runs. Nathan Eovaldi lasted 2 2/3 innings for Boston, allowing nine earned runs on nine hits. Then, the bullpen allowed 19 more runs to salt the wounds.
The Blue Jays are 51-43, and third place in the AL East. Meanwhile, the Red Sox are 48-46, and fourth in the division. The Jays lead the season series 8-3. The Blue Jays will go with Alek Manoah on the mound, while the Red Sox start Kutter Crawford.
Here are the Blue Jays-Red Sox MLB odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Blue Jays-Red Sox Odds
Toronto Blue Jays: -1.5 (+114)
Boston Red Sox: +1.5 (-137)
Over: 9.5 (-106)
Under: 9.5 (-114)
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Why The Blue Jays Could Cover The Spread
Did you see what happened yesterday? The Blue Jays did not just cover the spread, they blew it up several times. Today, Manoah takes the mound for Toronto and looks to build on his good season. Manoah is 10-4 with a 2.28 ERA. Lately, he has had some bad luck, as he is 1-2 over three July starts, despite a 3.15 ERA. Manoah tossed seven innings in his last start while allowing one earned run on four hits with six strikeouts. Additionally, he is 4-3 with a 2.47 ERA over nine starts on the road this season. Manoah has faced the Red Sox twice this season, both at home, where he is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA. Likewise, his last start at Fenway Park was a year ago, where he tossed six innings, allowing one earned run on four hits in a no-decision.
Manoah has great backup in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. Guerrero is batting .250 (9 for 36) with one home run, seven RBIs, and six runs against the Sox in 2022. Likewise, Bichette is batting .277 (13 for 47) with one home run, 11 RBIs, and seven runs over 11 games against the Sox. Guerrero and Bichette must keep the production going against the Sox.
The Blue Jays will cover the spread if Manoah continues his roll. Additionally, Toronto's bats must keep the production. They do not need to score 28 runs again. However, even getting 25 percent of last night's production would work.
Why The Red Sox Could Cover The Spread
Crawford is a relative unknown and a continuing theme for a Red Sox rotation that has had to rotate pitchers a lot due to injuries this season. Crawford is 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA. Also, he is 1-0 with a 2.20 ERA in three games (two starts) in July. Crawford tossed six innings in his last start, allowing three earned runs on six hits. Interestingly, his only win came in relief. It will be his first start against the Jays.
The Red Sox must improve against Manoah. Rafael Devers is 1 for 9 (.111) in his career against the Toronto ace. Additionally, Xander Bogaerts is batting .166 (1 for 6) against Manoah. J.D. Martinez does not have a hit yet (0 for 9) against the Blue Jays' pitcher. Alternatively, Alex Verdugo has done well, batting .455 (5 for 11) with one home run and three RBIs against Manoah.
The Red Sox will cover the spread if they avoid replicating last night's meltdown. That starts with a good pitching performance and an outfielder that can actually see the ball coming toward him. Ultimately, they must get the bats going to avoid falling into a significant hole.
Final Blue Jays-Red Sox Prediction & Pick
The Blue Jays have dominated the Red Sox this season. Thus, expect the trend to continue with Manoah on the mound. It will not be as big as last night's game, but Toronto still covers.
Final Blue Jays-Red Sox Prediction & Pick: Toronto Blue Jays: -1.5 (+114)
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