Red Sox vs. Blue Jays 7/16/19: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds
Contents
TV & Radio Section
Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 7/15/19 7:10 PM ET Fenway Park, Boston, MA, TV: Boston (NESN), Toronto (SNET, TVA Sports) Radio: Boston (WEEI 93.7, WCCM 1490 AM/103.7 FM), Toronto (SN590)
Matchup Preview
Game two of the classic AL-East matchup is set to begin today at 7:10 PM ET at Fenway Park. The Red Sox took yesterday’s game 10-8, with both teams putting up 13 hits on the day. Tonight, it’ll be Andrew Cashner making his Red Sox debut after being traded from the Orioles just three days ago. The right-handed Jacob Waguespack gets the go for the Blue Jays.
Before being traded to the Red Sox, Cashner was spinning his best stuff in his last two starts. He has given up just 1 run over his last 14 innings pitched. He’s made two career starts at Fenway, and has emerged from those wielding an ERA of 7.20.
Waguespack is being recalled from Triple-A to get another go against the Red Sox. He was optioned back down on the 4th of July, but before that he faced the Red Sox on July 3rd and picked up a win. He allowed 3 runs and 6 hits over 5 innings in that go. This will be Waguespack’s 3rd Major League appearance.
Boston Red Sox Starting Lineup
1. Mookie Betts (R) RF
2. Andrew Benintendi (L) LF
3. J.D. Martinez (R) DH
4. Rafael Devers (L) 3B
5. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
6. Brock Holt (L) 2B
7. Michael Chavis (R) 1B
8. Jackie Bradley Jr. (L) CF
9. Christian Vazquez C (R)
SP. Andrew Cashner SP (R)
Red Sox Analysis
As the Yankees seem to be pulling away in the AL East, the AL Wildcard seems to be the best bet for the Red Sox to find an avenue into the post-season this year. They’re currently just 2.0 games out of the second wildcard spot. If they continue to play good baseball and have a quintessential 21st century Red Sox second-half, I don’t see it being a problem for them grabbing one of the Wild Card spots.
Post All-Star Break, the bats of Bogaerts, Holt, Devers, Betts, and Devers have looked especially good. They’re all hitting above .300 in the 4 games the Red Sox have suited up for. Bogaerts has 3 HRs in those 4 games and a total of 9 hits in 16 ABs. In their last (and only) outing against Waguespack, they weren’t making great contact as he held them to just 6 hits. I’d expect the Red Sox to look better against him tonight, as they now have some experience against the right-hander.
The Red Sox are obviously hoping Cashner will aid in a playoff run this year. He’s looked good in his last two starts, and is a nice 9-3 on the year. In two games pitched against the Blue Jays this year (albeit in an Orioles uniform), Cashner has an ERA of 0.69 and has allowed just 7 hits in 13 innings.
Toronto Blue Jays Starting Lineup
1. C. Biggio, 2B (L)
2. V. Guerrero Jr., 3B (R)
3. L. Gurriel, LF (R)
4. R. Grichuk, RF (R)
5. J. Smoak, 1B (S)
6. T. Hernandez, CF (R)
7. R. Tellez, DH (L)
8. F. Galvis, SS (S)
9. D. Jansen, C (R)
SP. J. Waguespack (R), 1-0
Blue Jays Analysis
While the Blue Jays don’t seem to have a shot at entering the post-season this year, any fan has to at least be pleased with the promising young talent on the team. The Jays are 5-5 in their last 10 and they’re currently 25.5 games back in the East and 18.5 games back in the AL Wild Card race.
The Blue Jays have lost 3 of their 4 games played since the All-Star break. They made a good run in last night’s game, but the 10 runs the Red Sox put up were just too much. Sogard, Jansen, and Grichuk have all been swinging the bats well lately, each of them hitting above .300 post All-Star break. Guerrero Jr. hasn’t looked great, as he’s hitting just .167 with 3 SOs since the break.
It didn’t make a ton of sense that Waguespack was optioned down to Triple-A Buffalo coming off a solid start against the Red Sox on July 3rd, but he gets another chance tonight. He’s 2-6 on the year with Buffalo with an ERA of 5.30 through 12 games. He’s posted 52 Ks through 52.2 innings pitched at the Triple-A level.
Red Sox vs. Blue Jays Betting Odds
The line is currently set at Red Sox -188 Blue Jays +172 after opening at the same. If the Blue Jays are going to win one game in this series, it’s going to be this one. Cashner will likely be at least a little disoriented making his debut for the Red Sox, and Waguespack looked good in his last time facing the Sox. The over/under is currently set at 11 runs, and with the offensive showing in last night’s game, I’d take the over.
Looking for a Sportsbook to Sign Up On?
If you’re in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, bet on sports is legal and available. Online sportsbooks are giving you free money to sign up on their sites. The best bonus offers featured on Lineups.com are featured here: FanDuel sportsbook promo code, DraftKings sportsbook promo code & Pointsbet promo code offers for the highest sign up bonuses.
