Boston vs Toronto: The Red Socks attack pummels the Japanese pitcher

According to bookmakers, the American Leagues' top favorite for 2022 is the Toronto Blue Jays, who will play their next series at the legendary Fenway Park in Boston against the Red Sox. Who will be stronger in the first game of the clash? There are several options to choose from. 

The final game of the home series against Minnesota was particularly important for Boston. The game took place on the day of the famous Boston Marathon. Perhaps the heightened degree of responsibility took its toll on the Red Sox. Pitcher Rich Hill allowed four hits over the first three innings, and that lead remained the key, 3-8. Boston did not lose the series with the Twins, though, finishing the game tied at 4-8, 4-0, 8-1, 3-8.

Alex Cora's team comes into the game against Toronto with a 5-5 balance. And in only 4th place in the division table. This adds, to an already important divisional clash, value. Nathan Eovaldi will start for the Red Sox in the first game. In two starts this season, the 32-year-old pitcher has five strikeouts in 10 innings against the New York Yankees (5-6) and Detroit (9-7).

The Boston games will be the Blue Jays' second divisional series this season. The Canadian team didn't lose the first one, but neither did they win it, finishing 2-2 away to the New York Yankees, 3-0, 0-4, 6-4, 0-3. Toronto also managed to win two series ahead of the road trip to Boston - at home against Texas (10-8, 4-3, 6-12) and at home against Oakland (4-1, 5-7, 4-3). Toronto, 6-4. Charlie Montoya's team leads the AL East division.

Yusei Kikuchi, a Blue Jays rookie from the Seattle Mariners, will start on the pitcher's mound in the upcoming game. The 30-year-old Japanese already made his debut for the new team, allowing 3 runs in 3.1 innings against the New York Yankees.

In the final game of the series against Minnesota, Boston's offense looked like it was resting. Maybe after allowing 4 unanswered runs in the first 3 innings, the team has already started to think about the series with Toronto. And it's very likely that in their opening game against the Blue Jays, Bogaerts, Devers, Verdugo, Martinez and the like will be in for a real treat. And the Blue Jays don't have the best starting pitcher on the mound.

The prediction is a win for Boston.

• Boston Total Over 4.5 for 1.80;
• W1 and Total Over 7.5 for 2.50.

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