Toronto (87-72) are fresh off yet another disappointing series against the Baltimore Orioles that saw them lose two of three after winning the opener of the series on Tuesday night. Toronto and Baltimore are now sporting identical records and each hold down a wild card spot with three games to play in the season.
The Blue Jays have been absolutely horrible this month as their offense has dried up to critical levels, and their bullpen has blown four of its last five save opportunities. Their reward is nothing more than playing against their heated rival Boston Red Sox who have ran away with the American League East division.
Here’s a look at the pitching matchups for the final series of the year against Boston beginning on Friday night;
Friday September 30th Odds at Bet365 Sportsbook
Marco Estrada (9-9, 3.53 ERA) vs Rick Porcello (22-4, 3.11 ERA)
TOR Blue Jays +1.5 (1.64) (2.35) Money Line Over 8.5 (1.83)
BOS Red Sox -1.5 (2.35) (1.64) Money Line Under 8.5 (2.00)
The series kicks off with a bang on Friday as the Red Sox send Cy Young favourite Rick Porcello to the mound in search of his league best 23rd win of the year. Porcello has owned Toronto this season and is looking to improve on his 3-0 record with his fifth start on Friday night.
Toronto counter with righty Marco Estrada who will also be making his fifth start of the year against Boston and sports a respectable 2-2 record through those appearances. Even though Estrada has struggled with back issues this year the 33-year old is getting hot at the right time having pitched back to back gems in his last two games. Marco has gone 7.0 innings in each outing while allowing just one earned run over 14 innings and an impressive 15 strikeouts. There’s no doubt the Jays need one more stellar start out of their veteran righty.
Saturday October 1st at Bet365
JA Happ (20-4, 3.20 ERA) vs Eduardo Rodriguez (3-7, 4.68 ERA)
TOR Blue Jays -1.5 (2.45) 1.86 (Money Line) Over 9.0 (1.90)
BOSRed Sox +1.5 (1.60) 1.95 (Money Line) Under 9.0 (1.90)
The lone bright spot for Toronto heading into this weekend series against Boston is the fact that they have a perfect 2-0 record this year against Rodriguez. The young righty has struggled mightily against the Blue Jays batters this year as he’s given up 8 runs on just 11.2 innings of work. Toronto will look to get to Rodriguez early and get their bats popping again.
Toronto counter with veteran lefty and 20-game winner JA Happ who has enjoyed a career best season this year. Happ has been brilliant this year against Boston as he’s won both of his starts and allowed a combined three runs over the two games while striking out 9 batters. The Jays certainly have the better of the pitching matchups for the Saturday afternoon game.
Sunday October 2nd
Aaron Sanchez (14-2, 3.06 ERA) vs David Price (17-9, 4.04 ERA)
The series and regular season schedule wrap up with an absolute gem of a pitching matchup on Sunday afternoon as the Jays are set to face a familiar foe. David Price was the catalyst a season ago that saw the Toronto Blue Jays run away with the AL East crown after his acquisition at the trade deadline, and is now on the other side facing his former team.
Price signed a massive seven year deal with Boston in the offseason and has pitched very well down the stretch for the division champs. Price is making his fourth start this year against Toronto and has one win, one loss and a no-decision so far on the year.
Toronto counter with electric righty and future ace Aaron Sanchez who has been remarkable all year long and in search of win number 15. Sanchez will also be making his fourth start of the year against the offensively gifted Boston Red Sox and will be looking for his second win. Toronto will be looking to their young 24-year old to win what will likely be the biggest game of the season on Sunday, and be just as dominating as his first start at Fenway. Back on April 17th Sanchez was dominating pitching 7.0 strong innings of 2-hit ball allowing just one run while striking out seven batters.
The regular season is nearly in the books so be sure to log onto Bet365 now for all your MLB baseball betting needs. Also be sure to check out the MLB playoff betting futures for even more excitement