Toronto Blue Jays (49-45) vs. Boston Red Sox (60-39)
July 26, 2021 7:10 pm EDT
The Line: Boston Red Sox -135 / Toronto Blue Jays +125 ; Over/Under: 10
(Get latest betting odds)
The Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox meet Monday in MLB action from Fenway Park. The Jays are coming off a series versus the Mets. Toronto split the first pair in that set, then on Sunday the Blue Jays took a tough one-run defeat. As for Boston, they played the Yankees over the weekend. The Sox won two of the first three games, then on Sunday Boston eked out a win after a dramatic comeback. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Toronto fell in a 3-0 shutout to the Mets on Friday, but bounced back for a nice 10-3 win in the Saturday game. On Sunday in the finale, the Jays had a brief lead in the sixth but ultimately fell 5-4. Starter Ross Stripling put up 5.0 innings with one earned on five hits.
For the starter job on Monday, the Blue Jays will send out Thomas Hatch. this year in 17 games (one start), Hatch is 3-1 with 23 strikeouts in 26.1 innings of work overall.
Over on the Red Sox’ side, they managed wins over the Yankees 5-4 Thursday and 6-2 Friday before a tough 4-3 defeat in game three. On Sunday, Boston eked out another big comeback win 5-4. The Sox couldn’t get anything going until the eighth inning when they posted all five runs on five hits.
For the starter gig in Monday’s opener, Boston is going with Nick Pivetta. This year Pivetta has 103.0 innings with 90 hits, 52 runs (50 earned), 15 homers, 46 walks, 117 Ks and a 4.37 ERA.
The Blue Jays are 13-5 in their last 18 road games versus a right-handed starter and 1-4 in their last five in game one of a series. Toronto is 0-5 in their last five Monday games and the over is 5-2 in their last seven in game one of a series.
Meanwhile, the Sox are 5-0 in their last five Monday games and 24-8 in their last 32 in game one of a series. Boston is 26-10 in their last 36 versus the AL East and the under is 3-1-1 in their last five Monday games.
PICK: I’m sticking with Boston. The Sox played pretty well in the Yankees series (and should have won Saturday) and handled the Jays 13-4 and 7-4 in their last two meetings. Pivetta has had a couple of shaky outings as of late however, with 10.2 innings, 14 hits and eight earned in his last pair. If Pivetta can manage something near a quality start in this one, Boston should be just fine.
