Blue Jays @ Red Sox July 19 Free Pick

By MLB

The Red Sox played nine innings Friday, seven more than that on Saturday, two more than Saturday on Sunday, another nine on Monday and 15 last night. That’s 67 innings of baseball in about 100 hours. They won’t get a day off until Thursday, next week.

So if there ever was a time for Boston’s starting rotation to put the team on its back before October, it’s now. Two young guys stepped up in last night’s win. Brian Johnson started and Hector Velazquez finished, eating 10 of the 15 innings. Now Drew Pomeranz has to get his team 21 outs on Wednesday night against the Jays.

Free Pick

Problem is, he’s only done that once in 18 starts this season. Six innings have become semi-regular but seven remains a stretch. The only time he managed it this season was on the final day of May against the White Sox when he didn’t walk anybody, one of two times that has happened this season.

I’d love to see him go right at the Jays and reserve his best for the high leverage situations. I’ll take 10-1 odds he goes seven tonight, if anyone is offering, and if he doesn’t, Boston’s bullpen will probably get us perspiring.

Aaron Sanchez

That’s because I like the under. Aaron Sanchez has missed a lot of time this season but it was due to a blister problem on his finger, not arm trouble. He’s made two starts in a row without a problem and he threw the ball well in his most recent against Detroit.

Motown’s offense sure is better than Boston’s. Xander Bogaerts thinks he has a problem with his hand but the only place he isn’t right is between his ears. He wasn’t in the lineup on Tuesday and may sit out again tonight. Mookie and Pedroia are the only rocks, though Hanley Ramirez could get going after walking off last night. Sanchez is tough on right-handers, especially guys who like to pull the ball.

It’s still too early for any word on Josh Donaldson but he hurt his thumb last night and refused to come out of the game. I reckon it’ll swell up overnight and he won’t play on Wednesday.

I have Toronto -110 and the total at 8.0 with any extra juice on the under. I will play the Jays at +125 but like under 10.0 even more. I’m playing that one x1.5.

Free Pick: Under 10.0 (-110)

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