The Toronto Blue Jays (45-37) host the Boston Red Sox (40-42) at Rogers Centre on Friday to open a three-game series. The Red Sox were just swept in three games against the Marlins, dropping the finale 2-0 on Thursday at Fenway Park for their fifth straight loss. Rafael Devers was 1 for 3, stretching his on-base streak to 14 games.
The Blue Jays are kicking off the final series of their nine-game homestand. They won two of three against the Giants in their last series, taking the finale 2-1 on Thursday at Rogers Centre. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 1 for 2 with a home run and two RBIs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Red Sox have won all four games this season between the AL East rivals, including an 11-5 victory in their most recent meeting on May 4 at Fenway Park. Starter Brayan Bello went five innings for the win, giving up four runs (2 ER) on six hits and striking out five.
ON THE MOUND
James Paxton (3-1, 3.19 ERA) is in line for the start for Boston. The left-hander allowed one run over four innings in his last start, a 5-4 home defeat against the White Sox on Saturday. He yielded two hits while striking out three in the no-decision.
For Toronto, RHP Jose Berrios (8-5, 3.60 ERA) takes the mound. He has made one prior start against the Red Sox this season, giving up five runs over 5.1 innings in a 6-5 road defeat on May 1. He gave up 11 hits and walked two while striking out four in the no-decision.
In his last start on Saturday, Berrios got the win at home against the Athletics. He threw six innings and gave up three runs (2 ER) on six hits, striking out eight and walking two in the 7-3 triumph. The right-hander is tied for fourth in the AL in wins.
AT THE PLATE
The Boston offense is averaging 4.8 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .258/.329/.419. Alex Verdugo leads the team in OPS at .841. The center fielder is slashing .302/.373/.468 with five home runs, 32 RBIs, and 51 runs over 74 games.
Over the last five games, though, Boston has averaged only 1.6 runs a game while performing worse across the board (.211/.256/.283). Against righties like Berrios this season, the Sox have a .749 OPS. Verdugo also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .909 OPS in 202 at-bats.
Toronto is slashing .263/.329/.420 for the season and averaging 4.5 runs per game. Bo Bichette leads the team with a .852 OPS. The shortstop has 14 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 42 runs scored with a slash line of .319/.347/.504.
The Jays have a .726 OPS against Southpaws in 2023. With a .661 OPS over 58 at-bats, George Springer has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Boston is 19-21 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.1 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. Toronto has gone 23-15 at home this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 3.6. In the last 10 meetings at Rogers Centre, Toronto is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 5.7-3.0.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Red Sox are fifth in the AL East, 15 games behind the division-leading Rays. The Blue Jays are fourth in the AL East, 10 games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Toronto Blue Jays (-145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
