Published Jun 16, 7:18pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Jun 16, 7:18pm ET
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Updated Jun 16, 7:18pm ET
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| Boston Red Sox | -121 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | +110 |
While injuries are part of what has sabotaged Max Scherzer, his age and diminished stuff are bigger culprits to his objectively terrible numbers. The Blue Jays, if they want to jump back into legitimate contention, will need to make a tough decision on Scherzer and do it soon.
In his first start since late April, Scherzer allowed 5 earned runs in 3.1 innings, walking 3 and striking out 4 against the Phillies. He surrendered 2 homers. For the season, he has a -1.0 bWAR and a 10.23 ERA. He's tossed 22 innings, allowed 27 hits, 25 earned runs, 9 homers, walked 11, and struck out 14.
The Blue Jays' veterans, particularly George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. need to start hitting as they are expected to. Guerrero's batting average is respectable in the .280 range, but he's not hitting for any power. Springer has been awful with an average hovering around .200.
No Blue Jays hitter has ever faced Jake Bennett in MLB during the regular season.
Rookie lefty Jake Bennett has had one good start and two mediocre starts since being recalled. In his first start against the Astros, he allowed 1 run in 5 innings. In his next two starts, both against the Rays, he allowed 8 earned runs in 10.1 innings.
He was brilliant at AAA Worcester before he was brought to the majors, posting a 1.60 ERA in 9 starts.
The bottom line for the Red Sox for the rest of the season is that they need to start hitting, period. That includes Marcelo Mayer, Jarren Duran, Caleb Durbin, and Masataka Yoshida. Unless that happens and they get their injured bats Trevor Story and Roman Anthony back healthy and productive, they might as well sell at the trade deadline.
For the BoSox against Scherzer, Isiah Kiner-Falefa is 4 for 10 with 2 doubles. Yoshida is 4 for 6 with a double and a home run. Ceddanne Rafaela is 2 for 3 with a double. Willson Contreras is 3 for 15 with 3 singles.
Neither team has been playing well, but Toronto has been slightly better only because Boston has been so horrible and dysfunctional. Scherzer has been awful and it might be time for the Blue Jays to tell him that he needs to retire or he'll be released. Bennett is a rookie, but he has impressive stuff.
The teams aren't hitting much either. But facing Scherzer should be exactly the cure the Red Sox need, at least for a game. They will win the game behind their rookie Bennett.
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Boston Red Sox -121
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