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MLB Underdog of the Day (Take a Shot on Nick Pivetta to Outduel Cy Young Hopeful Alek Manoah)

By Matt De Saro

Houston Astros v Boston Red Sox
Houston Astros v Boston Red Sox / Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/GettyImages
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The Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays are neck-and-neck in the AL East as they head into their series finale today at Rogers Centre.

The Red Sox were on a heater, having won six in a row heading into this series. But, the Blue Jays took the first two games by a combined score of 13-7 and sent Boston tumbling into third place. The Yankees currently lead the AL East by more than a dozen games.  One of these two teams needs to pull away from the other if either hopes to make a run at the division. 

Despite all signs pointing towards a Blue Jays sweep, I have other ideas about this game. Here are the odds for this showdown from WynnBET Sportsbook:

Red Sox vs. Blue Jays Odds, Run Line, and Total

Run Line

  • Red Sox: +1.5 (-150)
  • Blue Jays: -1.5 (+125)

Moneyline:

  • Red Sox: +147
  • Blue Jays: -157

Total:

  • Total 8.5 (Over +100/Under -120)

Red Sox vs. Blue Jays Prediction and Pick

I may be losing my mind, but I actually like Nick Pivetta in this spot against fireballer Alek Manoah.

Looking over their season stats, it would appear I am in fact a crazy person. Manoah is tied with Justin Verlander for the league lead in wins along with a 2.05 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. All three are among the league leaders and Manoah is a legit Cy Young candidate. The only slight knock I can stick on Manoah is he hasn’t been as dominant over his last two appearances. Against the Brewers and Yankees, Manoah allowed six earned runs over 12 combined innings pitched. 

Now, to the good stuff. The reason I think that Pivetta could outduel someone of Manoah’s caliber. With a 3.25 ERA and 1.11 WHIP, Pivetta is having a career year after posting a 4.90 lifetime ERA. Furthermore, Pivetta has been dominant so far in five starts this month, posting figures that rival Manoah’s. In 34 1/3 June innings, Pivetta has a 2.12 ERA with a K:BB rate of 30:10. 

I’m baking on Pivetta to keep the train rolling and for the Red Sox to wake up on offense and avoid getting swept by their AL East rivals. 

Pick: Red Sox +147

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE

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