Free MLB Picks Today: Boston Red Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays 5/3/23

Hot-hitting Masataka Yoshida will be looking to extend his 12-game hitting streak as the Boston Red Sox (17-14) host the Toronto Blue Jays (18-12) at Fenway Park on Wednesday.

The Red Sox lead the series 2-0 after winning 7-6 on Tuesday. Reliever Richard Bleier was credited with the win after throwing one scoreless inning, and Josh Winckowski earned his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth.

Connor Wong went 4 for 4 with two solo home runs and a double in the win. Yoshida added a home run and two RBIs. Daulton Varsho was 2 for 4 with a home run and a double for the Blue Jays. He had three RBIs.

ON THE MOUND

Alek Manoah (1-1, 4.88 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Toronto. The righty allowed two runs over five innings in his last start, a 3-2 home win over the Mariners on Friday. He gave up six hits while striking out seven and walking four in the no-decision.

Manoah is making his first appearance against the Red Sox this season. Over four starts against the Red Sox in 2022, Manoah was 3-0 with a 1.04 ERA over 26 innings. He had 24 strikeouts and four walks. Righty Nick Pivetta (1-2, 5.11 ERA) gets the start for Boston. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Blue Jays.

Pivetta made four appearances against the Blue Jays in 2022, all as the starter, striking out 17 and walking 14 over 19.2 innings (0-2, 5.95). In his last start on Friday, Pivetta took the loss at home against the Guardians. He threw five innings and gave up four runs on five hits, striking out five and walking two in the 5-2 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Toronto has averaged 4.6 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.8. Against right-handed pitchers like Pivetta this season, the Jays have a .739 OPS. Matt Chapman is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .989 OPS in 79 at-bats.

Boston is averaging 6.0 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 5.7 for the season. The Sox have ann .809 OPS against right-handers in 2023, fourth highest in the league. With a .996 OPS over 83 at-bats, Alex Verdugo has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Toronto is 9-9 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.7 runs per game while allowing 5.3 runs. Boston has won four in a row at their home ballpark.

The Sox are 11-7 at home this season, averaging 5.8 runs per game while surrendering 5.4. In the last 10 games between the AL East rivals at Fenway Park, Toronto is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 7.8-3.6.

STANDINGS UPDATE

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