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On Friday night the Toronto Blue Jays travel to Fenway Park to face the Boston Red Sox with both teams still very much alive for an AL wild-card berth.
On the mound for Toronto will be Alek Manoah (2-8, 5.87 ERA) with Boston giving the ball to lefty James Paxton (6-2, 3.34 ERA).
Manoah has had a disappointing season but he’s pitched better of late, allowing three runs or fewer in three of his last four outings.
After losing six straight games when Manoah started, the Jays have now won three of his last four.
Red Sox vs. Blue Jays pick
He did struggle in his one start against Boston this year, giving up eight hits and five runs in a 8-3 Red Sox win.
Paxton has been Boston’s most consistent pitcher, allowing three runs or fewer in 11 of 13 starts.
James Paxton Getty ImagesHe threw a gem against Toronto on June 30 pitching 7 ²/₃ scoreless innings and holding the Blue Jays to only three hits.
It could be more of the same on Friday.
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Paxton has held current Toronto hitters to just a .214 average in 117 career plate appearances.
Boston has owned this series of late winning seven straight over Toronto.
Given Paxton’s success against the Blue Jays, I’m betting that trend continues with another Red Sox win.
The play: Red Sox -150 (BetMGM)
