Last Updated on June 5, 2016 4:13 pm by Brad Burns
BoSox-Jays rubber match takes top billing
Boston’s offense went shockingly quiet in its series-opening defeat to Toronto. Last night provided a much more accurate representation of the first-place club’s usual modus operandi.
The Red Sox downed the Blue Jays, 6-4, setting up this afternoon’s rubber match at Fenway Park. Oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv list John Farrell’s troops as 1.5-run favorites, whereas the visitors enter as -105 underdogs. The over/under run figure holds steady at 9.5.
Leading the majors in batting average (.295), runs (332), doubles (145) and slugging percentage (.491), Boston obviously presents a stiff challenge for Marco Estrada (3-2, 2.43 ERA). He’s captured back-to-back starts, though, and boasts a 1.57 ERA since May 15. Manager John Gibbons has to appreciate the effectiveness of his entire staff of late, as Toronto owns nine victories in the past 12 overall.
Eduardo Rodriguez, meanwhile, is just getting rolling for the Red Sox (33-23). After missing the majority of the first two months due to a strained patellar tendon, the second-year lefty made his season debut vs. AL East rival Baltimore on Tuesday. Rodriguez permitted two runs across six innings with three punchouts in a 6-2 triumph.
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His location was extremely impressive, and it must stay that way against the hard-hitting Blue Jays (30-27). Toronto doesn’t mess around in Beantown, compiling a 26-17 record there since the beginning of 2012. Anticipate a tight affair that hinges on which bullpen rises to the occasion.
SUNDAY MLB FREE PICK: BLUE JAYS/RED SOX UNDER 9.5 RUNS
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