After 19-Inning Marathon Red Sox Look to Close out Series with Toronto
Who: Toronto Blue Jays v. Boston Red Sox
When: Wednesday September 6th, 2017 7:10PM EST
Where: Fenway Park—Boston, Massachusetts
As far as news days for the Red Sox are concerned, they do not get much more eventful than yesterday. Earlier in the day, a news story broke that saw the Red Sox accused of using Apple Watches to steal the pitcher/catcher signs of the New York Yankees during their series last week. Shortly thereafter, the Red Sox played one of the more memorable games of this year’s MLB season. Down 2-0 heading into the bottom of the 9th inning, the Red Sox were looking like they were about to lose their second consecutive game to the Jays. Fortunately, a 2-run half inning saw the game head into extras. While everyone knew it would take extra innings in order to decide the game, I would be willing to bet that no one could fathom that the game would span a full 19 innings.
In the bottom of the 19th, a lead-off double was followed up by a walk-off single delivered by none other than Hanley Ramirez. The game did not officially reach its conclusion until closer to 1:30AM, which means that the Red Sox will have had less than 18 hours before taking the field again. Being that the Red Sox really need to win this game and series in order to keep a comfortable lead atop the AL East, there is no time for rest.
For the Blue Jays, what happened on Tuesday really put this season perfectly into perspective. The Jays played an excellent game for the first 9.5 innings, only to blow it when it really mattered. Now, with run down morale and almost no confidence, the Jays need to take the field on Wednesday in hopes of salvaging something from this series. Unfortunately, the way the Toronto offense has been playing, it does not look like the Blue Jays are going to emerge from this series with much of anything to show for it.
Game Overview and Analysis
When the Blue Jays (+143) take the field for the series finale, they will do so as underdogs and will be sending Joe Biagini (3-9 5.01 ERA) to the mound. The reliever turned starter, turned reliever, turned starter will enter this matchup on the back of a no-decision in which he gave up 0 earned runs in 7 complete innings pitched. Is Biagini a bad pitcher? Early indicators point to no, but there is a strong feeling that him being thrust into the rotation and then back into the bullpen is causing him some issues. To make a long story short, if Biagini is able to come out tonight the same way he did in his last start on the 1st of the month, he will give his team a fighting chance to win the game and series.
It isn’t worth going into much detail, but the Blue Jays’ offense is absolutely horrid. As seen from their performance last night, getting runs on the board has been and continues to be a massive problem. With that being said, even the best night of pitching from Biagini may very well not be enough to propel the Jays to victory.
As for the Red Sox (-166), they will be hoping that Doug Fister (4-7 4.19 ERA) can wrap this series up. Fister, who has been pitching pretty well in recent weeks, is taking up a seemingly temporary role in the starting rotation thanks to David Price’s injury. Fister has gone 4-2 over his last 6 starts, and, apart from one outing in which he gave up 5, has been keeping his earned run tallies somewhat low. If he can post even an average night of pitching against the Jays I have full confidence that the Sox will add to their win tallies.
Despite the fact that we did not see an exactly prolific offensive performance by any stretch of the imagination from the Red Sox on Tuesday, Tuesday also proved that you do not necessarily need a prolific performance in order to get past the Blue Jays. So long as the Red Sox have a decent night in the batter’s box, I think everything else will take care of itself.
Betting Prediction
As far as a moneyline to take, I think you have to go with the Red Sox (-166). Bovada’s odds are not the best in the world, but I think the Sox will take care of Toronto with ease after the scare they endured on Tuesday. Doug Fister has not given up more than 2 runs in any of his last 3 starts, and against a team like the Blue Jays I do not see that changing in a hurry.
As for the point spread, Boston are listed as -1.5 (+115) favorites. I really like the +115 odds and am confident that the Sox will be able to cover that spread. This bet is not only smart, it offers some decent value as well.