Many of the so-called experts are predicting a race between the Blue Jays and Red Sox for supremacy in the AL East. If that’s not enough to get these teams excited for seven meetings in the first two weeks of the season, the whole David Price thing just might do it.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
The top two teams in the AL East, at least according to oddsmakers, will get well acquainted with seven meetings in the first two weeks of the season. Last year the Blue Jays earned their first playoff appearance since winning the second of back-to-back World Series in 1993, riding the strong pitching of David Price, who was acquired from Detroit at the trade deadline. Price couldn’t get the Jays past Kansas City in the ALCS then bolted when the Red Sox backed the money truck to his front door.
The move didn’t shock the Jays too much. They anticipated as much when pulling the trigger on the deal. Toronto has arms to fill the void, but the offense is what drives the Blue Jays. The bashers are back and that’s not good news for Rick Porcello, who surrendered five homers to the Jays in 22.1 innings last season.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
The 2015 season was a forgettable one for Boston’s Rick Porcello, whose 4.92 ERA was the fourth-worst among qualified starters. However, the righty was much better following his return from a triceps injury late in the season, posting a 3.14 ERA in his final eight starts. The strikeouts were up as well following the injury. He fanned seven or more in five of his final seven outings.
Porcello had two nightmare starts in Toronto last season, surrendering 15 hits and 12 earned runs in eight innings for a 13.50 ERA while losing both times.
Marcus Stroman pitched into the ninth inning on Opening Day, officially surrendering three earned runs and picking up the W in Toronto’s 5-3 victory. He was staked to a two-run first inning lead and cruised from there, picking up 15 groundball outs. It’s rare to see a starter pitch into the ninth inning on Opening Day, but stroman did it with an efficient 98 pitches.
Stroman tossed seven innings of one-run ball in a winning start last year against the Sox and is undefeated in four career starts with a 1.26 ERA and 0.87 WHIP across 28.2 innings against them.
LIVE BETTING
Porcello has faced the Blue Jays 12 times during his career and the results haven’t been good. Over 66.1 innings, Porcello has surrendered 69 hits, including nine homers, for a 5.29 ERA. Toronto’s big guns have done their share of damage against the Sox right-hander with Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Josh Donaldson each connecting for a home run. But it’s Justin Smoak who has carried the big stick. In 16 career at-bats against Porcello, Smoak has three home runs and seven hits while driving in nine runs for a .438/.526/1.063 line. Not bad for a .224 career hitter who has 92 home runs in 2,257 at-bats.
QUICK PICK
Toronto’s lineup has given many pitchers fits over the past few seasons. Put Porcello among them. Many fans in Boston weren’t happy when the club extended his contract for plenty of money, and their concerns were validated when Porcello threw to a 4.92 ERA and gave up 25 home runs in 172.0 innings last season. The troubles continued in the spring as he was moved down a slot in the rotation after struggling with location and the long ball. If he doesn’t iron out the kinks, Friday sets up to be a long day. It’s been just the opposite for Stroman, who has ownage over the Red Sox. The young right-hander has silenced Boston’s bats in his four starts and the kid has the stuff to be real good.
MLB Odds: Toronto 6, Boston 3
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Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The ballgame pitting the Boston Red Sox versus the Toronto Blue Jays will commence Friday, April 8, 2016, at 7:07 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre.
