Free MLB Picks Today: Toronto Blue Jays vs Boston Red Sox 9/30/22

Free MLB Picks Today: Toronto Blue Jays vs Boston Red Sox 9/30/22
Fri 30th September 2022

Two of the AL’s best lineups are set to face off at Rogers Centre on Friday as the Boston Red Sox (75-81) are on the road to face the Toronto Blue Jays (87-69) for the opener of a three-game series. The Red Sox won three out of four in their last series against the Orioles, taking the finale 5-3 on Thursday at Fenway Park. J.D. Martinez was 2 for 4 with a home run and a double. He scored two runs and had two RBIs. Triston Casas added a double, one run, and one RBI. The Blue Jays are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They lost two of three against the Yankees in their last series, dropping the finale 8-3 on Wednesday at Rogers Centre. Danny Jansen went 1 for 3 with a solo home run.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Blue Jays have won 13 of 16 in the season series between the AL East rivals, including a 6-5 victory in 10 innings in their most recent meeting on August 25 at Fenway Park. Jordan Romano threw two scoreless innings of relief to get the win.

ON THE MOUND

Nick Pivetta (10-11, 4.48 ERA) is slated to start for Boston. The righty allowed five runs over five innings in his last start, a 7-5 road defeat against the Yankees on Saturday. He scattered six hits while striking out eight and walking four in the no-decision. Over three previous starts against the Blue Jays this season, Pivetta has allowed nine earned runs over 14.2 innings (0-1, 5.52). He has struck out 15 and walked 11.For Toronto, RHP Alek Manoah (15-7, 2.31 ERA) will toe the rubber. He has made three appearances against the Red Sox this season, all starts, giving up four runs (3 ER) over 20 innings (2-0, 1.35) with 20 strikeouts and two walks. In his last start on Saturday, Manoah got the win on the road against the Rays. He threw seven scoreless innings and gave up four hits, striking out eight and walking two in the 3-1 triumph. The RHP ranks third in the AL in ERA and tied for third in wins.

AT THE PLATE

The Boston offense is averaging 4.6 runs per game for the season, third best in the American League, with a slash line of .259/.323/.412. Rafael Devers leads the team in OPS at .880. The third baseman is slashing .294/.356/.524 with 27 home runs, 87 RBIs, and 81 runs over 136 games. Over the last five games, however, Boston has averaged 5.8 runs a game while performing better across the board (.279/.358/.468). Against righties like Manoah this season, the Sox have a .727 OPS. Devers also is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .929 OPS in 392 at-bats. Toronto is slashing .260/.326/.427 for the season and averaging 4.7 runs per game, second best in the AL. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads the team with a .813 OPS. The first baseman has 30 home runs, 93 RBIs, and 86 runs scored with a slash line of .275/.338/.475. Toronto is averaging only 3.6 runs per game in the last five with their slash line slipping across the board (.216/.278/.383). The Jays have a .753 OPS against right-handers in 2022, second highest in MLB. With a .835 OPS over 509 at-bats, Guerrero Jr. also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Boston is on a five-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 35-43 in 2022. The Sox have scored 4.4 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.5 runs. Toronto has gone 44-34 at their home park this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.5. Toronto is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the teams at Rogers Centre with an average scoreline of 4.3-3.7.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Red Sox are fifth in the AL East, 22 games behind the division-leading Yankees. The Blue Jays are second in the AL East, nine games behind the Yankees. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting first with a magic number of six.

SportsTips’ MLB Pick:

Toronto Blue Jays (-200)

Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with betmgm image today!

If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!

*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

SportsTips covers all the latest betting, odds, picks & predictions news when it comes to major American sports like NFL, NBA, MLB & NHL. If you want to stay up to date with the latest information, SportsTips has you covered!