Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Rogers Centre in Toronto

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Wednesday night, the Boston Red Sox will send Joe Kelly (2 – 3, 4.26 ERA) to the mound to face the Toronto Blue Jays and Marcus Stroman (7 – 5, 4.11 ERA).  Kelly makes his 12th start as Stroman makes his 16th start and 21st appearance.

Joe Kelly didn’t the decision in his last start after a short outing for the right-hander. Kelly went 5 innings and allowed just a hit and 3 walks while striking out 5.  It’s believed that some discomfort in his pitching shoulder might have led to his early exit. But there was no injury found that would prevent him from his next start. Kelly is just 0 – 1 in his 4 starts for the Red Sox since coming over from the Cardinals and he is just 1 - 3 in his last 10 outings.   Last season, Kelly was 10 – 5 with a 2.69 ERA in 15 starts and 22 relief appearances for the Cardinals.

In 2013, Kelly didn’t face the Blue Jays and he has only seen 4 of the Toronto hitters before.  Only Melky Cabrera has been successful against Kelly and he is 2 for 3 with a double.

Marcus Stroman was lit up in his last start and he took the loss.  In 5 innings of work, Stroman gave up 6 runs on 10 hits (including a homer), while walking 3 and striking out 6.  When Stroman is good; he is good.  But when he is bad, it is a disaster.  He has allowed 11 runs and 15 hits in his last 2 outings and hasn’t had a win in nearly a month’s time.  In his last 10 appearances, he is 3 - 3. 

Stroman has faced the Red Sox twice this season and he will bring a 2 – 0 record into his next meeting with Boston.           

Boston Red Sox Betting Trends

Boston Red Sox are 55-71-4 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Boston Red Sox is -0.6

Toronto Blue Jays Betting Trends

Toronto Blue Jays are 63-63-4 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Toronto Blue Jays is 0

Injuries to Watch

Boston Red Sox

08/25/14 SS Xander Bogaerts Concussion 7-day DL (8/23)
08/24/14 DH David Ortiz Foot questionable
08/23/14 P Joe Kelly Shoulder is upgraded to probable for next start
08/01/14 RF Shane Victorino Back 15-day DL (7/30)
05/31/14 1B Ryan Lavarnway Wrist 60-day DL (5/30)

Toronto Blue Jays

08/07/14 3B Brett Lawrie Back 15-day DL (8/6)
07/31/14 1B Dan Johnson Hamstring 15-day DL (7/31)
07/09/14 RF Cole Gillespie Oblique 15-day DL (7/7)
05/04/14 P Brandon Morrow Hand 60-day DL (5/3)
04/14/14 2B Maicer Izturis Knee 60-day DL (4/14)

Josh's Pick: Take Toronto

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