David Price (7-1, 5.34 ERA) and the Boston Red Sox (29-20) are in Toronto to go up against R.A. Dickey (2-6, 4.60 ERA) and the Blue Jays (26-25) in a game that could have plenty of offense. This is the last of a three-game series at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays won the last game 10-9, and Toronto leads the series 2-0. The game starts at 1:07 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 29 and will air on NESN and RSN.
In his most recent outing, Dickey pitched 6.2 innings, giving up four runs, striking out seven and walking two in a 6-0 loss to the Yankees. Josh Donaldson (.258, 39 Rs, 13 HRs, 29 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday. The Red Sox were victorious the last time Price pitched. He tossed 7.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out six and walking one in an 8-3 victory over the Rockies. David Ortiz (.339, 25 Rs, 13 HRs, 46 RBIs, 1 SB) has been doing well offensively for the Red Sox, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. The Blue Jays have a SU record of 10-11 against teams in their division. The most recent 10-game stretch for the Blue Jays has gone great. Over that span, Toronto is averaging 0.0 runs per game, well over their season average of 0.0. They typically aren’t overmatched by pitchers, ranking fifth in the AL with an average of only 8.8 strikeouts per home game. Toronto’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 0.0 during that span, compared to its 0.0 season average. An area where the Blue Jays are particularly strong at home is striking batters out, where they average 7.2 K’s per home game.
Against divisional opponents, the Red Sox are 14-14 SU. The Red Sox are the number one overall scoring offense in the AL, averaging 0.0 runs per game so far. The top hitting team in the AL are the Red Sox, who average 10.5 hits per game. The last 10 games have really brought the best out of the Boston pitchers. They’ve allowed 0.0 runs per game during that span, which is lower than their season average of 0.0.
The Blue Jays have gotten the best of the Red Sox in head-to-head matchups this season, going 5-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – BOS
Notes
In their last game, the Red Sox lost by a margin of one run. The Blue Jays are 5-10 in one-run games. The Red Sox have a 5-6 record in close games.
Toronto has won 43% (9-12) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Boston has won 67% (16-8) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Red Sox are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Blue Jays have an 8-8 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they are outhit, the Red Sox are 1-13. The Blue Jays have a 5-17 record when opponents outhit them.
Both falling in the top 10 of the league based on total home runs this season, Toronto ranks sixth with 65 homers and Boston is 10th with 58.
Ranking first in hits, Boston has earned 10.53 per game this season. Toronto ranks 23rd with 8.00 hits.
Boston tops the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage of .848 this season. Toronto ranks in the bottom half at 16th with an OPS of .727.
The Red Sox are 18-16 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Blue Jays are 14-18 when they allow at least one homer.
