Prepare for an explosive night of action as the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays bring their big bats to Rogers Centre for major league action on Friday night. Can a visit north of the border help the slumping Red Sox snap out of their funk? Read on for everything you need to know heading into this explosive game.
There’s plenty more major league action going around. Check out our complete previews for the Royals vs. Tigers and A’s vs. Mariners.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview
Where: Rogers Centre, Toronto
When: Friday, May 8, 7:07 PM ET
Line: Boston Red Sox (+110) at Toronto Blue Jays (-110); total 9.5 – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Boston Red Sox
So much for Boston’s supposed big bats this season. The Red Sox have been outscored 25-15 over their last six games. They went 2-for-28 with runners in scoring position in their last three, dropping two of three to the Tampa Bay Rays.
[sc:MLB240banner ]Mike Napoli, who has hit cleanup in his last two games, has batted just .133 over his last eight games. He’s 0-for-3 with a strikeout in his career against Toronto’s Aaron Sanchez. Big offseason signee Hanley Ramirez has sat out the past two games due to a bothersome shoulder. Ramirez leads the Red Sox with 10 homers and 22 RBIs, so expect Boston to struggle while he continues to sit out.
Their other prized offseason signee, Pablo Sandoval, leads the Red Sox in batting average (.300) this season. But he’s had limited looks against Sanchez, going 2-for-2 with a homer and three RBIs. The Red Sox will look to get behind David Ortiz, who has has hit .333 with four doubles in his last nine games. Ortiz is hitting 2-of-5 with a double in his career against the Blue Jays right hander.
Getting enough run support is crucial for Boston’s ailing starting rotation. Tonight’s starter Wade Miley (1-3, 7.15 ERA) has contributed to the pitching staff’s woes. He has allowed nine earned runs over 9.1 innings in his last two starts, both losses.
Miley won’t have fond memories of his lone career start against the Blue Jays. He allowed five runs on eight hits and walked two in 1.2 innings in a 10-4 loss last September. It was the shortest start of his career.
The Red Sox have lost five of their last six games.
Betting on the Toronto Blue Jays
Pitching has also been an issue for the Blue Jays, who rank 28th in MLB with a 4.83 team ERA this season.
Aaron Sanchez (2-2, 4.62 ERA), who takes the ball tonight, has had problems with control this season. He has walked six or more batters in a game twice already. But that issue didn’t come to light in his lone start against the Red Sox this year. He allowed three earned runs, issued just two walks and fanned seven over 5.2 innings in a 6-5 loss at Boston on April 22. He didn’t factor in the decision.
Unlike Boston, the Blue Jays can back up their pitchers with a solid outing at the plate. Toronto ranks first in the majors with 155 runs scored this season. Russell Martin is on fire on going 12-for-19 on a five-game hitting streak. He has homered in each of his last two games and four of his last five.
The Blue Jays could also get some timely hits from Chris Colabello. Called up from the minors on Tuesday, Colabello went 6-for-8 in his first two games in the majors this season.
The total has gone over in four of Toronto’s last six games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Blue Jays (-110) batter Miley toward a victory. Create a betting account now and join in on the hard-hitting baseball action.
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