MLB Betting Preview: Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays

The Boston Red Sox (1-4) and Toronto Blue Jays (3-2) will close out a three-game American League East series on Wednesday afternoon inside the Rogers Centre

Boston Red Sox at Toronto Blue Jays

Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester has a great opportunity to get his first win on Wednesday afternoon

Boston has split the first two of its current series with Toronto and comes off a 7-3 loss on Tuesday night. The Red Sox will play eight of their first 10 games during the daytime, which hasn’t worked out so well in dropping its first three chances in that situation during the 2011 campaign. It’s still important to note that the club finished with the third-best day record in the AL last year with a 30-20 mark. Boston is 23-31 in April the last two-plus seasons and the “under” is 25-24 in that situation.

Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester (0-0, 1.29 ERA) will make his second start of the 2012 season, as he received a no-decision in tossing seven innings against the Tigers in a 3-2 road loss on April 5. The left-hander went 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA over five starts against the Blue Jays in 2011, while possessing a solid 6-3 mark and 3.33 ERA in 11 career starts at today’s venue. He won a team-leading seven of 10 daytime decisions a year ago, notching a 3.25 ERA in his 12 daytime efforts compared to 3.61 in 19 night outings.

Toronto will play the third game of its current 11-day, nine-game homestand and will look for a series victory with a victory in this rubber match. The Blue Jays are hoping that star outfielder Jose Bautista can break out of his mini slump, going hitless in eight at-bats in this series. A contribution from him will definitely be necessary due to the club dropping the two previous matchups between today’s pitchers by a combined 22-5. Toronto is 35-43 versus left-handed starters and the “over” is 40-35 in that situation the last two-plus seasons.

Blue Jays starting pitcher Ricky Romero (0-0, 7.20 ERA) didn’t end up with a decision in his Opening Day start against the Cleveland Indians on the road, surrendering four runs and three hits over five innings. The left-hander has been solid during the course of his career in April, posting a 6-4 mark and 2.67 ERA in 15 starts, as opponents have managed to hit just .210 against him. Romero hasn’t enjoyed much success against the Red Sox, posting a losing 4-6 record and 7.12 ERA in 13 starts, issuing 39 walks and allowing 90 hits in 67 innings of work.

Bettors will likely back the Red Sox due to their 5-1 record in Lester’s last six starts in this series, while the Blue Jays are 1-4 in Romero’s last five efforts as a home underdog.