MLB : Red Sox Get Crack at Reeling Blue Jays

The Boston Red Sox are off to a pretty good start in 2017. They’ll get a chance to pad their 8-5 record (+2.35 betting units) during a three-game set against what’s left of the Toronto Blue Jays. Thursday’s finale at Rogers Centre begins at 12:37 PM ET, with NESN and MLB Network providing the coverage. Chris Sale (1.55 FIP) gets the nod for the Red Sox, while Toronto will respond with Marco Estrada (4.54 FIP).

That’s assuming the Jays don’t shuffle their rotation. Already missing former MVP Josh Donaldson (calf), Toronto saw two of their starting pitchers hit the DL on Sunday: Aaron Sanchez (finger) and JA Happ (elbow). The hobbled Jays have lost 10 of their first dozen games going into their series in Boston, dropping 10.58 units along the way.

The Red Sox have to be pleased with Sale’s performance thus far. Their key offseason acquisition has provided three straight quality starts, allowing just three earned runs in 21.2 innings of work. Now it’s up to Boston’s bats to hold up their end of the bargain. They scored just six runs combined in those three games, going 2-1 for 0.96 units in profit.

MLB Odds: Jays in Deep Trouble Versus Red Sox

The Toronto Blue Jays (2-10, –10.58 betting units) are a shell of their former selves. And that shell is about to play a three-game series against the visiting Boston Red Sox (8-5, +2.35 units). Thursday’s finale begins at 12:37 PM on NESN and the MLB Network.

Chris Sale (1.55 FIP) is expected to start for the Red Sox against Marco Estrada (4.54 FIP). Sale allowed just three earned runs combined in his first three games for Boston, and he won’t have to face former MVP Josh Donaldson (.953 OPS last year), who’s on the 10-day DL with a strained calf.