Toronto Blue Jays (18-11) vs. Boston Red Sox (16-14)
May 4, 2023 6:10 pm EDT
The Line: Boston Red Sox +130 / Toronto Blue Jays -167; Over/Under: +9.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox meet Thursday in MLB action from Fenway Park. This will be the finale in a four-game series. The Red Sox took one-run wins in the first two games, then on Wednesday Boston kept it going with a five-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays took a couple of tough losses in the first two games of this set, losing 6-5 Monday and 7-6 in game two. In the Wednesday matchup Toronto blew an early 2-0 lead and fell 8-3. Alek Manoah managed 5.0 innings in the start with two earned, eight hits and a walk.
For the starter job in the Thursday game it’ll be Kevin Gausman. Over six starts this year Gausman is 2-2 with a 2.33 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 38.2 innings. Gausman has a career record of 78-84 with a 3.89 ERA in 273 games (234 starts).
Boston Red Sox
Over on the Boston side, they scored in all but two innings during the victory on Tuesday. In the Wednesday matchup the Red Sox out-hit the Jays 15-6 in the win. Starter Nick Pivetta logged 6.0 innings, three earned, five hits and one walk.
It’ll be Brayan Bello for the start in the Thursday game. Bello has three starts so far this year with a 6.57 ERA, an 0-1 record and 14 strikeouts in 12.1 innings. In his career Bello is 2-9 with a 5.04 ERA in 16 games (14 starts).
The Blue Jays are 4-0 in their last four in game four of a series and the over is 7-1 in their last eight Thursday games. The under is 6-2 in Toronto’s last eight in game four of a series.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox are 13-3 in their last 16 at home versus a team with a winning record and the over is 4-0 in their last four Thursday games. The over is 19-7 in Boston’s last 26 versus the AL East.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’m going to stick with the Blue Jays here. Gausman had a rough outing versus Houston back on April 17 (4.2 innings; seven earned) but in his two starts since then he’s been great. Combined in that pair Gausman is 1-0 with 14.0 innings, zero earned, nine hits and one walk. In the Wednesday matchup the Blue Jays played a fairly sloppy game overall and Manoah didn’t get much help from the pen. I like Toronto to bounce back here and stave off the sweep, though.
