In a game that could be a shootout, Wade Miley (1-3, 7.15 ERA) and the Boston Red Sox (13-15) are in Toronto to take on Aaron Sanchez (2-2, 4.62 ERA) and the Blue Jays (14-15). This is the first of a three-game series at the Rogers Centre. Action begins at 7:07 p.m. ET on Friday, May. 8 and can be seen on NESN and RSN.
Sanchez is 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA in his appearances against the Red Sox, and goes up against a below-average Boston offense which is batting just .239 this season. Russell Martin (.286, 20 Rs, 7 HRs, 18 RBIs, 2 SBs) had another good game Wednesday, going 3 for 4 with two runs, one home run, and one RBI. When pitching against the Blue Jays, Miley is 0-1 with a 27.00 ERA, 6.00 WHIP, and three strikeouts.
The odds for Toronto and Boston are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. Within its division, Toronto has a record of 11-11 SU. 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 AL in terms of hits at home with an impressive 9.1 per game.
The Red Sox are 9-13 against fellow AL East members. 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 Red Sox lead the season series, 2-1. Sanchez (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
Notes
Boston has won 42% (5-7) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Toronto has won 67% (6-3) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Blue Jays managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Red Sox who are coming in with a 7-8 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Red Sox are 2-15. The Blue Jays have a 2-13 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking seventh in home runs, Boston has hit 32 this season. Toronto ranks fifth with 34 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 ninth with 8.29.
Ranking 17th, Boston is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.704). Toronto ranks in the top 10 at sixth with an OPS of .759.
The Red Sox are 6-14 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Blue Jays are 9-11 when they allow at least one homer.
