Boston Red Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays Picks and Prediction for Thursday, August 13, 20266

The Boston Red Sox visit the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday at 3:07 PM ET at Rogers Centre. Boston is 64-55, third in the AL East and nine games behind Tampa Bay. The Red Sox lost 5-3 to Toronto in their most recent completed game and have dropped four straight, leaving them 1-4 over their last five. Toronto is 58-63, fifth in the AL East and 16 games behind Tampa Bay. The Blue Jays have won two straight and four of five after Tuesday’s 5-3 victory. Toronto leads the season series 2-0 entering Wednesday. Be a winner with our free MLB picks.

Boston Red Sox Look to End Losing Skid

Boston ranks 11th in MLB with a .248 batting average and has scored 527 runs with 120 home runs, a .320 on-base percentage and .401 slugging percentage. Ceddanne Rafaela leads the Red Sox with a .287 average and 129 hits while adding 16 home runs, 63 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. Willson Contreras has supplied the biggest power numbers with 23 homers, 70 RBIs and a .912 OPS. Wilyer Abreu has added 21 home runs and 64 RBIs. Boston scored 13 runs in its only victory across the last five games but has managed nine total runs during its four-game losing streak.

Pitching has been Boston’s biggest strength. The Red Sox rank fourth in MLB with a 3.49 ERA and 1.22 WHIP while holding opponents to a .239 batting average. Boston has recorded 1,018 strikeouts against 332 walks with 34 saves, 11 shutouts and 49 quality starts. Payton Tolle has been one of the club’s stronger starters, entering Thursday with a 3.20 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. Boston is 35-24 away from home, but its staff has allowed 18 runs during the current four-game losing streak.

Injuries: Johan Oviedo (60-Day IL), Trevor Story (60-Day IL), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (60-Day IL), Roman Anthony (60-Day IL), Tanner Houck (60-Day IL).

Toronto Blue Jays Carry Better Recent Form

Toronto ranks 19th in MLB with a .242 batting average and has scored 476 runs with 115 home runs, a .303 on-base percentage and .376 slugging percentage. Ernie Clement leads the Blue Jays with a .281 average and 128 hits while adding nine home runs and 40 RBIs. Kazuma Okamoto has provided the most power with 24 homers and 70 RBIs, although he is listed day-to-day. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is batting .261 with a team-high .338 on-base percentage. Toronto has scored 26 runs across its last five games and has won four during that stretch.

The Blue Jays rank 11th in MLB pitching with a 3.99 ERA and 1.32 WHIP while opponents are batting .240. Toronto has recorded 1,054 strikeouts, 39 saves, eight shutouts and 35 quality starts, but its 442 walks are considerably higher than Boston’s 332. Max Scherzer has struggled in limited work, carrying a 7.25 ERA and 1.53 WHIP into Thursday. Toronto pitching has performed better recently, allowing 20 runs over the last five games and holding Boston to four combined runs through the first two completed games of this series.

Injuries: Kazuma Okamoto (Day-To-Day), Lenyn Sosa (60-Day IL), Joe Mantiply (60-Day IL), Spencer Arrighetti (15-Day IL), Jonatan Clase (10-Day IL).

Pitching Matchup

Boston Red Sox – Payton Tolle

Tolle is 7-6 with a 3.20 ERA and 1.10 WHIP across 107 innings. The left-hander has allowed 89 hits, 29 walks and 13 home runs while striking out 124. His ability to limit baserunners gives Boston an important advantage against Toronto.

Toronto Blue Jays – Max Scherzer

Scherzer is 1-4 with a 7.25 ERA and 1.53 WHIP through 36 innings. The right-hander has allowed 40 hits, 15 walks and 11 home runs while striking out 27. Boston has a clear opportunity if Scherzer continues allowing frequent traffic and power.

Boston Red Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays Game Pick

• Boston Red Sox

Boston is the game pick because Tolle provides a substantial starting-pitching advantage despite the Red Sox entering on a four-game losing streak. Tolle owns a 3.20 ERA and 1.10 WHIP, compared with Scherzer’s 7.25 ERA and 1.53 WHIP. Boston also has the better team ERA, WHIP, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. Toronto has taken the first two completed games of the series, but Boston remains 35-24 away from home. Tolle gives the Red Sox their best route to reversing the recent results with a win Thursday.

Boston Red Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays Over/Under Pick

• Over

The over is the total pick because Scherzer’s current pitching numbers leave considerable room for Boston to produce runs. He has surrendered 40 hits, 15 walks, and 11 home runs in only 36 innings, resulting in a 7.25 ERA. Toronto has also scored 26 runs across its last five games and has reached five or more in four of them. Tolle has pitched well, but the Blue Jays enter with better recent offense. Scherzer’s struggles provide the strongest reason to expect scoring Thursday.