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The Boston Red Sox (74-74) and Toronto Blue Jays (81-67) play game 2 of their 3-game series at Rogers Centre Saturday. First pitch is slated for 3:07 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Red Sox vs. Blue Jays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Red Sox lead 7-4
The Red Sox dropped their 8th game in their last 10 with a 3-0 loss as +134 underdogs as the Under (8.5) hit in Friday’s series opener. Boston has been held for less than 3 runs per game over the last 5. Their 3rd straight road loss dropped their away record to 36-36 on the season.
Toronto snapped its 4-game losing streak on Friday night behind a stellar 7-inning shutout performance from SP Jose Berrios. After losing their first 7 head-to-head matchups with the Red Sox, the Blue Jays have now won 4 straight and have outscored Boston 28-8 over this run.
Red Sox at Blue Jays projected starters
LHP Chris Sale vs. RHP Chris Bassitt
Sale (6-4, 4.88 ERA) makes his 18th start. He has a 1.20 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 11 K/9 in 86 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 4 IP, 7 R (6 ER), 6 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 13-12 home loss vs. Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 9
- 2023 road stats: 5-3, 4.86 ERA (46 1/3 IP, 25 ER), .249 OBA in 9 starts
- Career vs. Blue Jays: 8-5, 2.93 ERA (107 2/3 IP, 35 ER) in 16 starts and 3 relief appearances — last faced Toronto in 2019
Bassitt (14-8, 3.83 ERA) will make his 31st start. He has a 1.21 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 8.1 K/9 in 178 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 5 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 9 H, 3 BB, 3 K in 10-4 home loss vs. Texas Rangers Monday
- 2023 home stats: 7-4, 3.12 ERA (95 1/3 IP, 33 ER), .199 opponent batting average (OBA) in 15 starts
- 2023 vs. Red Sox: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 6 K in 1 start, a 13-1 road win Aug. 6
- Career vs. Red Sox: 2-0, 1.93 ERA (14 IP, 3 ER) in 2 starts
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Red Sox at Blue Jays odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:15 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Red Sox +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Blue Jays -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Red Sox +1.5 (-190) | Blue Jays -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Red Sox at Blue Jays picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jays 3, Red Sox 2
Moneyline
PASS.
While I like the Blue Jays (-125) to win this game, I don’t feel confident enough to make this bet. Toronto still has something to play for, while the Red Sox are playing out the string.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
I know this is boring to not recommend a bet, but I’m not going to tell you to bet something I don’t believe in myself. I don’t love the Blue Jays enough — like I said in the moneyline section — to bet them to cover the run line. I would not mind taking the Red Sox getting the run and a half but not at -200 odds. Just ignore this bet.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 9 (-120).
Bassitt handled this Red Sox lineup earlier this season. He went 7 innings, allowing just 1 ER with 6 K. It’s been a few years for Sale since he last faced the Blue Jays, but in his last start against Toronto in 2019, he struck out 12 over 6 innings, allowing just 2 hits.
I think one ends up being a pitching duel between the starters, and it’ll come down to the bullpens on who gets the victory.
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