The Boston Red Sox will host the Toronto Blue Jays 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.
Both teams are in the middle of the AL East looking up at the Tampa Bay Rays. Toronto dominated the last two games of this series by outscoring Boston by 19 runs after losing the first game. The Blue Jays hit eight home runs as a club on Sunday afternoon and will now be looking for a third straight win.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the Blue Jays-Red Sox odds.
MLB Odds: Blue Jays-Red Sox Odds
Toronto Blue Jays +1.5 (-160)
Boston Red Sox -1.5 (+140)
Over 9.5 Runs (-110)
Under 9.5 Runs (-110)
Why The Blue Jays Could Cover The Spread
The Blue Jays are starting to look like a juggernaut in the American League. They are now sitting in third place in the American League East at 33-30. If this team adds a bit more pitching at the deadline, they are a true contender this season.
The Blue Jays score 5.10 runs on nine hits per game this season, which is good for third and second in all of baseball, respectively. This lineup's potential was displayed in Sunday's win as the Blue Jays collectively teed off with eight jacks in the win. They're three games over .500 on the road and six games above .500 when facing a right-handed starting pitcher.
Toronto will turn to right-hander Alek Manoah in the series finale. Manoah had a bounce-back start in his third MLB outing against the Chicago White Sox. He will now have another tough test in the division after dominating the New York Yankees in his debut on May 27. The Blue Jays right-hander is now 1-0 with a 3.14 ERA and 16 strikeouts through his first three career starts.
Why The Red Sox Could Cover The Spread
The Red Sox are in second place in the American league East behind the Rays. They continue to exceed preseason expectations and currently sit at 39-27 on the season. The Red Sox have done serious damage this season at the plate and will really be a force to be reckoned with if they can improve their pitching.
Similar to Toronto, this team lives and dies by the pop of its lineup. Boston is currently averaging 4.95 runs on 8.58 hits per game, which is good for seventh and third in the league, respectively. Boston has absolutely dominated right-handed starting pitching this year with a record of 27-18. The Red Sox were 6-2 in their last eight games heading into this series and will look to get back to form in the finale.
It will be up to hard-throwing right-hander Nathan Eovaldi to salvage this series. Eovaldi has put together a solid season this far with a 7-3 record and 4.11 ERA through 13 starts. He has recorded 70 strikeouts in 72 1/3 innings of work as well. The right-hander will look to avenge his last start, when he gave up 11 hits and five runs over 5 2/3 innings of work against the Houston Astros. Eovaldi has a 1-1 record and 4.26 ERA in six career starts against the Blue Jays.
Final Blue Jays-Red Sox Prediction & Pick
This may be an unpopular pick, but I see the finale being a low-scoring affair. The Blue Jays exploded for 25 runs over the past 18 innings and seem to be clicking on all cylinders. I expect a regression in this game, as this level of production certainly isn't sustainable and Nathan Eovaldi is no pushover on the bump. Boston's offense has struggled in this series and will get its first look at rookie right-hander Alek Manoah.
FINAL PICK: Under 9.5 Runs (-110)
Follow Us
Subscribe