In a game that has the potential for a lot of runs, Joe Kelly (1-1, 5.72 ERA) and the Boston Red Sox (13-16) are in Toronto to take on Drew Hutchison (2-0, 7.47 ERA) and the Blue Jays (15-15). This is the second of a three-game series at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays won the last game 7-0 and Toronto leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 1:07 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 9 and can be seen on NESN and RSN.
Hutchison is 2-1 with a 6.04 ERA in his appearances against the Red Sox, but goes up against a below-average Boston offense which is batting just .234 this season. Russell Martin (.295, 22 Rs, 7 HRs, 18 RBIs, 2 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4 with two runs. Kelly is 0-0 with a 5.25 ERA against the Blue Jays in his career. He takes on a good Toronto offense that’s batting .261.
Toronto is a -131 favorite against Boston and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at nine runs. Though the Blue Jays have had a tough season in terms of their overall money line (-214), they have done fairly well as a favorite with a record of 8-5. Toronto is unbeaten as the favorite and has a 5-5 SU record in its last ten outings. The Blue Jays have no trouble scoring as they lead the AL in offense with 5.3 runs per game. The Blue Jays are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 104. Toronto is one of the best in the AL in terms of walks at home, earning an average of 3.4 per game.
In games where it is the underdog, Boston has a 4-4 record and an overall money line of -529. They have been on a bit of a dry streak over their last 10 games. They managed a 0-1 record when playing as the underdog. Offensively, the Red Sox have really sputtered in division games. They have decreased their season average of 4.6 runs per game by averaging 4.1 in those contests. Boston is excellent at drawing walks with an AL-best 3.9 per game.
The Blue Jays have a 10-14 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Kelly takes the mound. Hutchison (RHP) will be on the hill against the Red Sox, who have a 10-12 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Over
Notes
After last game’s shutout win against the Boston Red Sox, the Blue Jays now have one shutout this season. The Red Sox have been shut out in one game this season.
The Blue Jays are 1-0 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Red Sox are 1-1 in such matchups.
The Red Sox are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Blue Jays have a 3-5 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Red Sox are 2-16. The Blue Jays have a 2-13 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking eighth in home runs, Boston has hit 32 this season. Toronto ranks fourth with 36 home runs.
Toronto and Boston both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Toronto sits at sixth with 8.62 hits per game and Boston ranks eighth with 8.29.
Ranking 20th, Boston is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.692). Toronto ranks in the top five at third with an OPS of .768.
The Red Sox are 6-15 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Blue Jays are 9-11 when they allow at least one homer.
