The Toronto Blue Jays (45-39) host the Boston Red Sox (42-42) at Rogers Centre on Sunday with the visitors in position for a sweep of the three-game series.
The Red Sox lead the series 2-0 after winning 7-6 on Saturday, their sixth straight head-to-head victory, including all six games this season. Kutter Crawford went 5.2 innings, giving up two runs on three hits, to get the win, and Kenley Jansen pitched 1.1 innings to pick up his 17th save.
Justin Turner was 3 for 5 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored three runs and drove in two. Rafael Devers also went 3 for 5 with a home run and a double.
He scored two runs and drove in three. Matt Chapman went 2 for 3 with a home run and a double for the Blue Jays. He scored two runs and drove in two. George Springer went 3 for 5 with a home run and two runs.
ON THE MOUND
Garrett Whitlock (4-3, 5.15 ERA) is set to get the start for Boston. The right-hander allowed six runs over 4.2 innings in his last start, a 10-1 home defeat against the Marlins on Tuesday.
He was charged with the loss, scattering 11 hits while striking out seven. Whitlock is making his first appearance against the Blue Jays this season. Over four appearances (one start) against the Blue Jays in 2022, Whitlock was 0-1 with a 0.00 ERA over seven innings.
He had six strikeouts and two walks. For Toronto, right-hander Kevin Gausman (7-4, 3.01 ERA) gets the start. He has made one prior start against the Red Sox this season, giving up eight runs over 3.1 innings in an 11-5 road defeat on May 4. He gave up 10 hits and walked one while striking out four in the loss.
In his last start on Tuesday, Gausman took the loss at home against the Giants. He threw six innings and gave up one run on three hits, striking out 12 and walking one in the 3-0 defeat. The right-hander is tied for the AL lead in strikeouts (139).
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Boston has averaged only 3.0 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.9, while performing worse across the board (.250/.279/.407).
Against right-handed pitchers like Gausman this season, the Sox have a .751 OPS, the highest in MLB. Alex Verdugo is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .901 OPS in 206 at-bats.
Toronto is averaging only 2.8 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.5 for the season, with their slash line dropping across the board (.226/.268/.384).
The Jays have a .753 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the highest in MLB. With a .822 OPS over 157 at-bats, Brandon Belt has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Boston is 21-21 away from Fenway Park in 2023, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. Toronto has gone 23-17 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 3.7. Toronto is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the AL East rivals at Rogers Centre with an average scoreline of 5.1-3.5.
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, 11 games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Toronto Blue Jays (-190)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
