The Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox will start a crucial series at Fenway Park on Monday night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Blue Jays-Red Sox prediction and pick.
Boston continues to hold a slim one-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East. Toronto, on the other hand, continues to fall in the division and seems to be full focused on the Wild Card now. Regardless of what the standings say, these are two of the most explosive offensive teams in all of baseball this season.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the Blue Jays-Red Sox odds.
MLB Odds: Blue Jays-Red Sox Odds
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Toronto Blue Jays +1.5 (-165)
Boston Red Sox -1.5 (+145)
Over 10.5 Runs (-115)
Under 10.5 Runs (-105)
Why The Blue Jays Could Cover The Spread
The Blue Jays have shifted their focus to the American League Wild Card as they're four games back of the Oakland Athletics for the second spot. The Blue Jays are now 49-46 after losing four of their last five games to date. Toronto's inexperienced pitching staff allowed 31 runs over the recent five-game stretch.
The only reason that this team is still relevant is because of their lethal lineup. The Blue Jays score 5.18 runs per game, which is the third-best mark in the majors. The defensive numbers aren't horrible on paper, but it's clear that this team has to outslug opponents in order to generate wins. Toronto has an impressive +0.94 average run differential in road games this season.
Toronto is expected to turn to right-hander Thomas Hatch for the series opener. Hatch will be making his first appearance of 2021 after coming off an impressive rookie season in 2020. The 26-year-old starter was 3-1 with a 2.73 ERA through 17 appearances and one start during the shortened season. He was 0-1 with a 2.15 ERA through eight minor league starts before getting the call back to the majors.
Why The Red Sox Could Cover The Spread
The Red Sox are one of the best teams in the majors and have proven that they are here to stay. There were many question marks surrounding this team entering the season, but they are now 61-39 and have put all of those questions to rest. The Red Sox are 5-1 over their last six games and will be coming off an impressive comeback victory against the New York Yankees on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Sox are averaging the fourth-most runs in baseball at 5.09 per game. They've averaged a whopping 5.36 runs per game at Fenway Park, which has helped improve their home record to 31-20 on the year. Their pitching has certainly struggled at time, but it hasn't really mattered with the way they have consistently driven in runs. Boston just swept Toronto in a short two-game series last week, scoring a total 20 runs in 18 innings against the division rival.
Boston will turn to right-hander Nick Pivetta in the series opener. Pivetta has been serviceable for Boston with a 8-4 record and 4.37 ERA through 19 starts. He has been striking hitters out but has been consistently susceptible to the long ball. The Red Sox starter has received great run support, which leads you to believe both lineups will be clicking.
Final Blue Jays-Red Sox Prediction & Pick
I am going to pick the over to hit in what should be an absolute slugfest at Fenway Park. The Blue Jays' potent lineup gets a look at a struggling Nick Pivetta, while the Red Sox get to feast off a second-year pitcher making his second career start. These are two of the most consistent offensive teams in baseball that love playing against each other. The over has hit in six of the last eight head-to-head games between these two clubs.
FINAL PICK: Over 10.5 Runs (-115)
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