Since finding a home field at last, the Jays are on a tear at 8-1. Combine this with Boston’s slump (1-7 last 8), and it sets up an uncommon situation for this year; that of Boston as an underdog. Eovaldi is pitching for the Red Sox, and other than his last start, has been very good. The Sox haven’t been especially supportive; though he is 9-6, the team record with him pitching is only 11-10.

Alek Manoah starts for the Jays. At 3-1, 2.47, Manoah has been a real eye-opener for the Jays. For a youngster, he is feisty and very confident. And why not? In his last three starts, he has gone 17+ innings and given up only 2 ER. He has also had run support in his rookie season. The Jays are 6-3 in his starts.

If Boston’s recent record is alarming, how they are losing is doubly so. A case in point is yesterday’s pummeling in Detroit. Many of these losses have lopsided affairs. Their relief efforts have been uncharacteristically poor from a highly-regarded pen. The Blue Jays’ inferior bullpen has been a thorn in the side all season, but the Jays made efforts to remedy this at the trade deadline. Boston more or less stood pat.

While the Red Sox have a potent offense, they pale at the moment compared to the Jays. There are very few rest spots in this formidable juggernaut’s lineup. While Boston is a very good road team, their recent woes are more significant. I like Manoah and the Jays today. Take the Jays, a favorite, to win outright.