Boston Red Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays Picks and Predictions August 26th 2024

Danny Jansen looks to make history when Red Sox, Jays collide

From Fenway Park in Boston, we have the Blue Jays and Red Sox facing off in an AL East matchup. The Red Sox are favored on the money line, with their odds sitting at -151 compared to the Blue Jays at +129. The over/under line is currently 9.5 runs.

First pitch for this one is set for 7:10 PM ET, and the forecast in Boston calls for broken clouds and temperatures in the mid-80s. Chris Bassitt will start for the Blue Jays, and he is facing off against Brayan Bello. Boston is 68-64, while the Blue Jays are 65-69, and are 5th in the AL East compared to the Red Sox, who are 3rd.

Toronto vs. Boston Key Information

• Teams: Blue Jays at Red Sox
• Where: Fenway Park Boston
• Date: Wednesday, August 28th
• Betting Odds BOS -151 | TOR +129 O/U 9.5

The Blue Jays Can Win If…

Right-hander Chris Bassitt gets the start for the Blue Jays today as he faces the Red Sox on the road. He has made 26 starts this season and has a record of 9-12 with a 4.41 ERA. Bassitt’s WHIP for the season is 1.42, and opponents are batting .260 off him this year. In his last outing, Bassitt finished with a no-decision, giving up four earned runs in six innings of work. Before that, he had lost three straight starts. Bassitt has given up at least two homers in three of his last four outings.

Blue Jays 1st baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been one of the best hitters in the league this season, batting .322 with 27 home runs and 87 RBIs. He has also been hot of late, going 9/22 in his last six games. George Springer is also near the top of the Blue Jays home run and RBI leaderboards, but he is hitting just .221 for the season and has gone 4/22 in his last six games.

As a team, the Blue Jays are averaging 4.2 runs per game, which is 20th in the league. They have been a bit better on the road, averaging 4.3 runs per contest. Overall, they are 19th in home runs and have the league’s 13th best batting average. As a team, they have been good at avoiding strikeouts and are 7th in the league in walks.

• The Blue Jays are 7-3 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Blue Jays are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• Toronto has an over/under record of 6-4 in their last ten games.
• The Blue Jays have an average of 5.2 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Blue Jays are 5-5
• Looking back across the Blue Jays last five games as the favorite, they are 5-0
• Toronto has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Blue Jays have averaged 4.3 runs per game on offense

The Red Sox Can Win If…

Red Sox starter Brayan Bello finished with a no-decision in his last outing, going 5 1/3 innings vs. the Diamondbacks. He gave up five earned runs in the outing, along with four walks and a home run. Before that outing, he had allowed just one earned run in three straight starts. Bello has a record of 11-6 this season and an ERA of 4.95. Looking at his home/road splits, he is 7-2 with a 4.68 ERA on the road and 4-4 with a 6.66 ERA at home. Opposing batters are hitting .261 off Bello this season.

Jarren Duran has been red hot for the Red Sox of late, going 11/24 in his last seven games with three homers and five RBIs. For the season, he is batting .294 and is 3rd on the team with 20 homers. Rafael Devers has been a force in the lineup, leading the team with 80 RBIs and 28 homers, which is 8th in the MLB. Devers is also batting .290 for the season.

As a team, the Red Sox are 5th in the league in runs scored at 4.9 per game. They have been even better on the road, averaging 5.2 runs per contest. Overall, they are 6th in home runs and have the league’s best team BABIP. Boston is also near the top of the league in a number of other offensive categories, including batting average, slugging percentage, and OPS.

• The Red Sox are 4-6 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Red Sox are 1-4 vs. the run line.
• Boston has an over/under record of 5-5 in their last ten games.
• The Red Sox have an average of 3.4 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Red Sox are 6-4
• Looking back across the Red Sox last five games as the favorite, they are 1-4
• Boston has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Red Sox have averaged 5.3 runs per game on offense

The Lean

Our lean for an over/under pick would be to take the under. As for how we would play the money line in this Blue Jays vs. Red Sox matchup, we would be leaning toward the Red Sox to come out on top. Boston’s offense is our 5th highest-rated home run-hitting team in today’s slate of games, and Brayan Bello has the 8th best odds to pick up a win among today’s starters.

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The Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays are set to settle some unfinished business on Monday with a day-night doubleheader that could see catcher Danny Jansen make Major League Baseball history. As the teams resume a game suspended by rain on June 26, Jansen has the rare opportunity to become the first player in MLB history to play for both teams in the same game.

A Historic Opportunity for Danny Jansen

Danny Jansen, who was acquired by the Red Sox from the Blue Jays on July 27, was at bat for Toronto when the June 26 game was halted due to rain. Now, as the game resumes, Jansen could step onto the field in a Red Sox uniform, making MLB history. “It’s definitely a cool thing,” Jansen acknowledged, though his focus remains on helping Boston secure a much-needed win. This unique situation adds an extra layer of intrigue to a crucial series for both teams.

Toronto Blue Jays Riding High on Momentum

The Blue Jays enter Monday’s doubleheader on a five-game winning streak, fresh off a four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels. Key performances from players like Addison Barger, who delivered clutch hits throughout the series, have been instrumental in Toronto’s success. Manager John Schneider expressed his confidence in the team, noting the significance of their recent sweeps: “It’s a good feeling for the young guys—for everyone really. It’s nice to get out and play good baseball.”

George Springer has also been a standout, hitting pivotal home runs in both games of Monday’s doubleheader against the Red Sox. His power at the plate has been a driving force in Toronto’s recent victories, including a game-changing three-run homer in the nightcap that sealed a 7-3 win.

Red Sox Struggling to Find Their Footing

In stark contrast, the Boston Red Sox have struggled since the All-Star break, particularly at home, where they’ve been swept three times. Their latest disappointment came against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where the team managed only a .211 batting average over three games. Despite these setbacks, manager Alex Cora remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of resilience: “We lost three games. We got to turn the page just like we’ve been doing all season and be ready for (Monday).”

Game Summaries: Blue Jays Sweep the Day-Night Doubleheader

In the first game, which resumed from June 26, the Blue Jays secured a 4-1 victory, with George Springer delivering a crucial solo home run in the seventh inning. The win extended Toronto’s winning streak and added pressure on Boston to bounce back in the nightcap.

However, the second game of the doubleheader followed a similar script. Toronto pulled ahead with a five-run fifth inning, highlighted by another three-run homer from Springer. Jose Berrios delivered a strong pitching performance, allowing just two runs over 7 2/3 innings, helping Toronto to a 7-3 victory and sweeping the doubleheader.

Notable Performances: Springer and Berrios Shine, Duran Stands Out for Boston

George Springer was the standout player for Toronto, homering in both games and driving in multiple runs, which proved pivotal in both victories. Jose Berrios also played a crucial role, demonstrating his pitching prowess by stifling the Red Sox lineup and securing his 13th win of the season.

For the Red Sox, Jarren Duran was a bright spot, going 3-for-4 in the second game with a double, a home run, and two RBIs. His consistent performance, including homers in both games, showcased his potential, even as Boston’s struggles continued.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Both Teams

The Blue Jays’ recent successes have put them in a strong position as the season progresses, with their eyes set firmly on the postseason. Meanwhile, the Red Sox must regroup quickly if they hope to stay competitive in the AL East. With more meetings between these two teams on the horizon, the outcome of this series could have significant implications for their playoff hopes.

Danny Jansen’s potential to make history adds a unique and exciting narrative to an already critical matchup. As both teams prepare for the remainder of the series, all eyes will be on Jansen and the outcome of Monday’s games, which could shape the trajectory of both teams’ seasons.