Free MLB Picks Today: Boston Red Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays 5/2/23

Hot-hitting Masataka Yoshida will be looking to extend his 11-game hitting streak as the Boston Red Sox (16-14) host the Toronto Blue Jays (18-11) at Fenway Park on Tuesday. The Red Sox took Monday’s series opener 6-5.

Reliever Josh Winckowski was credited with the win after throwing two innings. Alex Verdugo went 2 for 5 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored two runs. Jarren Duran added a solo home run. Bo Bichette was 5 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs for the Blue Jays.

ON THE MOUND

Yusei Kikuchi (4-0, 3.00 ERA) is slated to get the start for Toronto. The lefty is tied for fourth in the AL in wins. Kikuchi threw 5.2 scoreless innings in his last start, an 8-0 road win over the White Sox on Wednesday. He was credited with the win, giving up four hits while striking out eight and walking one.

Kikuchi is making his first appearance against the Red Sox this season. Over three appearances (one starts) against the Red Sox in 2022, Kikuchi was 0-0 with a 2.08 ERA over 8.2 innings. He had nine strikeouts and seven walks.

Righty Tanner Houck (3-1, 4.50 ERA) will toe the rubber for Boston. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Blue Jays. Houck made two appearances against the Blue Jays in 2022, including one start, striking out five and walking two over six innings (0-1, 3.00).

In his last start on Wednesday, Houck took the loss on the road against the Orioles. He threw five innings and gave up four runs (3 ER) on seven hits, striking out two and walking two in the 6-2 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Toronto has averaged 5.0 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.7. Against righties like Houck this season, the Jays have a .741 OPS. Matt Chapman is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a 1.014 OPS in 75 at-bats.

Boston is averaging only 5.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 5.6 for the season. The Sox have a .728 OPS against southpaws in 2023. With a .783 OPS over 20 at-bats, Triston Casas has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Toronto is 9-8 away from Rogers Centre in 2023, scoring 4.6 runs per game while allowing 5.2 runs. Boston has won three in a row at home. The Sox are 10-7 at home this season, averaging 5.8 runs per game while surrendering 5.4. Toronto is 8-2 in the last 10 games between the AL East rivals at Fenway Park with an average scoreline of 7.3-3.1.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Blue Jays are third in the AL East, five games behind the division-leading Rays. The Red Sox are fourth in the AL East, seven games behind the Rays.