In a game that has the potential for a lot of runs, Drew Hutchison (2-0, 5.48 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (9-11) are in Boston to take on Clay Buchholz (1-2, 4.84 ERA) and the Red Sox (11-9). This is the second of a three-game series at Fenway Park. The Red Sox won the last game 6-5 and Boston leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 6:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Apr. 28 and can be seen on RSN and NESN.
Buchholz is 11-8 with a 3.20 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 106 strikeouts against the Blue Jays. Pablo Sandoval (.294, 10 Rs, 2 HRs, 11 RBIs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 2 with one run, one home run, and three RBIs. Hutchison is 2-1 with a 4.64 ERA when pitching against the Red Sox. He is up against a below-average Boston offense which is hitting just .238 this season. Devon Travis (.368, 15 Rs, 6 HRs, 18 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate for the Blue Jays, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and two RBIs.
Boston is a -134 favorite against Toronto and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at nine runs. The Red Sox have an overall money line of -58 and a record as the favorite of 6-5. Within its division, Boston has a 3-3 record as favorite and a 6-7 record SU. The Red Sox have no trouble scoring as they rank fourth in the AL in offense with 5.0 runs per game. Boston leads the whole AL in walks, earning an average of 4.3 per game.
In games where it is the underdog, Toronto has a 4-5 record and an overall money line of -290. They played poorly as the underdog over their last 10 games with a 1-3 record, and a 4-6 record SU. Offensively, they average 5.3 runs per game, which is good for second in the AL. The Blue Jays have a dynamic offense, ranking fourth in the league with 66 extra base hits.
The Red Sox have the edge in the season series, 1-0. The Red Sox have an 8-7 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Hutchison takes the mound. Buchholz (RHP) will be on the hill against the Blue Jays, who have a 7-9 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – BOS, O/U – Over
Notes
In their last game, the Blue Jays lost by a margin of one run. The Red Sox are 5-2 in one-run games. The Blue Jays have a 2-5 record in close games.
When the Blue Jays play into extra innings, they have a 1-0 record. The Red Sox are 1-1 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Blue Jays are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded nine strikeouts. The Red Sox have a record of 4-3 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Blue Jays are 8-1. The Red Sox have a 10-0 record when outhitting opponents.
Toronto tops the league in runs with 105 this season. Boston ranks in the top five at third with 101.
Ranking first in walks, Boston has earned 84 this season. Toronto ranks eighth with 64 walks.
The Red Sox are 7-6 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Blue Jays are 8-4 when they hit at least one homer.
