The Red Sox narrowly avoided a three-game sweep at Yankee Stadium and reclaimed a share of first place in the American League East with the Yanks as a result. The BoSox, who are 9-9 since their 17-2 start, travel north of the border and send their ace to the mound to begin a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays. The confines of Rogers Centre have been friendly to the Red Sox lately, as Boston is 9-1 SU in its past 10 in Toronto.
Sportsbook opened the Blue Jays as +170 home underdogs with a total of 8.5.
Chris Sale and Aaron Sanchez are slated to get the ball for the Sox and Jays, respectively. Sale (3-1, 2.02 ERA) allowed one run or less for the fifth time in eight starts with a dominant outing at Texas on Sunday, as the veteran struck out a season-high 12 batters while allowing only four hits. It was the fourth straight quality start for the veteran, who hasn’t allowed more than three runs in that span.
Sanchez (2-3, 4.14) is coming off his worst appearance of the season in Saturday’s 5-3 setback to the Tampa Bay Rays. The hurler lasted only 3.2 innings while giving up four runs for the second straight start. Sanchez didn’t factor into the decision in his lone outing against the Red Sox on April 25, when he struck out a season-high eight hitters and permitted two runs on three hits.
When the Red Sox make the trip north, low-scoring affairs tend to follow. The UNDER is 4-1 in Boston’s previous five matchups with the Blue Jays in Canada.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Those going with the Toronto Blue Jays in this one found them listed on the oddsboard as moneyline underdogs of -185 at Sportsbook for Friday's contest. The betting total was hovering near 2.5 at Sportsbook.
OddsShark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game pick a 4.3-2.8 victory for the Red Sox. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
Boston Red Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
20-18 Toronto battles the Red Sox, currently with a 26-11 mark. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Toronto vs Boston injuries news.
The Toronto-Boston odds would favor the Red Sox if the betting lines were set according to our power ranks. Toronto is rated No. 22 in the current OddsShark poll, while Boston is at No. 6.
Statistical Matchup
Rating these teams in several key categories is important for handicappers and Toronto has baseball's No. 7-rated offensive output, at 7.87 hits per game. The Boston Red Sox average 9.65 hits per game, good for No. 2 on the list.
Boston brings the No. 7-rated defense to this matchup, facing the Blue Jays' No. 21-ranked defense.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Red Sox grabbed a win last time out, defeating CC Sabathia and the Yankees 5-4 on Thursday at Yankee Stadium.
The Blue Jays endured a 9-3 loss at the hands of the Mariners on Thursday, with J.A. Happ throwing 3.1 innings of 10-hit ball at Rogers Centre.
Next Betting Matchups
Boston at Toronto, Saturday, May 12