MLB on ESPN: Toronto Blue Jays vs Boston Red Sox Preview and Odds - 07/26/2021
by Big Al Staff
Monday, Jul 26, 2021Monday MLB ESPN Preview: Toronto Blue Jays versus the Boston Red Sox.The Boston Red Sox host the Toronto Blue Jays on ESPN at 7:10 PM ET in the first game of their four-game series to begin the week.Toronto lost their fourth game in their last five in a 5-4 loss in New York against the Mets yesterday. The Blue Jays scored three runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 3-1 lead, but their bullpen let them down in the bottom half of that inning. Ryan Borucki started the frame in relief of Ross Stripling but gave up a two-run homer to Pete Alonso to tie the game. Jacob Barnes came on to finish only to give up another two runs and get tagged with the loss. Toronto stranded nine runners in the setback. The Blue Jays begin this series with a 49-46 record, putting them in fourth place in the American League East. They are 9 1/2 games behind the first-place Red Sox.Toronto averages 5.3 runs per game with a .270 batting average, .318 on-base percentage, and an OPS of .827. Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. leads the team with a .326 batting average, 32 home runs, and 79 runs batted in. Bo Bichette is hitting .296 with 17 homers and 65 RBIs. Marcus Semien has a .275 batting average with 24 home runs and 61 RBIs. Manager Charlie Montoyo taps Thomas Hatch to make his 2021 debut as his starting pitcher tonight. Hatch is taking the spot of Alek Manoah, who is rehabbing a back injury. The 27-year-old right-hander had a 2.15 ERA in eight starts for the Blue Jays’ Triple-A team in Buffalo. Hatch was 3-1 for Toronto last season with a 2.73 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 17 games, including one start over 26 1/3 innings at the top level. He is supported by a Blue Jays bullpen with a 4.10 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP this season. The pen has 16 saves and 11 blown save opportunities. Boston concluded their weekend series with the New York Yankees with a 5-4 victory on Sunday. The Red Sox were held hitless against the Yankees’ Domingo German through seven innings before breaking through with five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Boston has a league-leading 32 comeback victories this season.The Red Sox victory combined with Tampa Bay’s 3-2 loss in Cleveland elevated Boston to sole possession of first place in the AL East. Their 61-39 record places them one game ahead of the Rays.Manager Alex Cora’s team averages 5.1 runs per game, with a .257 batting average, .315 On-Base Percentage, and an OPS of .758. Xander Bogaerts leads the team with a .309 batting average. He has added 15 home runs and 53 RBIs. Rafael Devers leads the BoSox with 26 homers and 80 RBIs. He is hitting .279. J.D. Martinez is hitting .302 with 20 home runs and 64 RBIs.Nick Pivetta takes the ball for Boston tonight. The right-hander has an 8-4 record with a 4.37 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP in 19 starts. He pitched last Monday in Toronto’s temporary home in Buffalo, allowing four runs and 11 hits in 6 2/3 innings of work. The Red Sox bullpen has a 3.66 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. The pen has collected 32 saves but blown 14 save opportunities after yesterday’s setback.DraftKings lists Boston as a -145 money line favorite, with the total set at 11.
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