Free MLB Picks Today: Boston Red Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays 5/1/23

The Boston Red Sox (15-14), one of the top lineups in baseball, are set to host the Toronto Blue Jays (18-10) at Fenway Park on Monday for the opener of a four-game series. The Blue Jays are kicking off a nine-game road trip after wrapping up a successful six-game homestand (5-1).

They won two out of three in their last series against the Mariners, dropping the finale 10-8 on Sunday at Rogers Centre. Matt Chapman was 3 for 5 with two doubles, one run, and two RBIs. The Red Sox are in the midst of a seven-game homestand.

They won two of three against the Guardians in their last series, taking the finale 7-1 on Sunday at Fenway Park. Alex Verdugo went 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs. Connor Wong added a home run, two runs, and two RBIs.

The teams are meeting for the first time this season. The Blue Jays dominated the 2022 season series between the AL East rivals (16-3), including a sweep in their most recent three-game set at Rogers Centre at the end of September.

ON THE MOUND

Jose Berrios (2-3, 4.71 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Toronto. The righty threw seven scoreless innings in his last start, a 7-0 road win over the White Sox on Tuesday.

He was credited with the win, scattering four hits while striking out nine and walking one.Over three starts against the Red Sox in 2022, Berrios was 1-0 with a 2.37 ERA over 19 innings.

He had 16 strikeouts and three walks.Righty Corey Kluber (1-4, 6.75 ERA) takes the mound for Boston. Kluber made one start against the Blue Jays in 2022, throwing three innings for the Rays in a 9-2 road defeat on July 1.

He gave up seven hits and walked two, while striking out one in the loss. In his last start on Tuesday, Kluber got the win on the road against the Orioles. He threw six innings and gave up one run on five hits, striking out three, in the 8-6 victory.

AT THE PLATE

The Toronto offense is averaging 4.7 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .255/.331/.406. Chapman leads the team in OPS at 1.129. The shortstop is slashing .372/.459/.670 with five home runs, 21 RBIs, and 17 runs over 27 games.

Against right-handed pitchers like Kluber this season, the Jays have a .744 OPS. Chapman also is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a 1.035 OPS in 68 at-bats. Boston is slashing .257/.331/.431 for the season and averaging 5.6 runs per game, third best in MLB.

Rafael Devers leads the team with an .864 OPS. The shortstop has 10 home runs, 27 RBIs, and 20 runs scored with a slash line of .239/.286/.578. The Sox have a .772 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .898 OPS over 77 at-bats, Verdugo has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Toronto is 9-7 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.6 runs per game while allowing 5.1 runs. Boston has gone 9-7 at their home park this season, averaging 5.8 runs per game while surrendering 5.4. In the last 10 games between the teams at Fenway Park, Toronto is 9-1 with an average scoreline of 8.1-2.6.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Blue Jays are second in the AL East, four games behind the division-leading Rays. The Red Sox are fifth in the AL East, nine games behind the Rays.