The Boston Red Sox are stumbling into a three-game series vs. the rival Toronto Blue Jays that begins on Friday. First pitch in the opening game at Fenway Park is set for 7:10 p.m. ET. Boston is looking to avoid a sixth consecutive loss, and it was swept by the Angels in three games in the most recent series.

Toronto has won five of the first seven meetings between the teams this season. At 43-37, the Blue Jays are only three games out of first place in the American League East. The 40-42 Red Sox are seven games behind the first-place New York Yankees. Boston has lost six of nine games since its controversial trade of Rafael Devers.

Jose Berrios (3-3, 3.51) will be on the mound against a weak Boston lineup. Brayan Bello (3-2, 3.31 ERA) can give Boston a better chance at a victory. In his last four starts, he has worked at least six innings in each outing, while posting a 2.49 ERA during that span, per Field Level Media.

View the best sportsbooks in Massachusetts for Toronto vs. Boston.

Red Sox vs. Blue Jays predictions and best betsFirst Inning Under 0.5 Runs: -118 at FanDuelBlue Jays moneyline: +108 at DraftKings SportsbookJarren Duran Over 1.5 Hits: +180 at BetMGM Sportsbook

*Note: Odds are based on the best value our experts find as of publication; check lines closer to game time to ensure you get the best odds.

The Red Sox are looking limp on offense since the Devers deal. In the nine games without him, the team is batting .188 and is averaging 3.11 runs per game. It’s not just the loss of Devers that has bogged down the offense, though.

Over time, injuries to key hitters such as Alex Bregman and Triston Casas hurt as well, and young hopefuls such as Kristian Campbell have failed to live up to expectations.

Opposing batters are hitting only .200 the first time they have faced Berrios in games this season, per ESPN.com. Bello has allowed one run over 13 innings in his last two starts. Especially with the Boston offense involved, this game is a viable target for a No Run First Inning bet on FanDuel.

Duran could be the next notable Red Sox player to be moved. He has not made much noise lately, with a .208 batting average over the past week. But the matchup with Berrios could spark him to slip out of the funk.

While batter vs. pitcher historical stats aren’t always an authentic indicator of future results, we must take note that in 21 career at-bats vs. Berrios, Duran is hitting .476 with five doubles and three home runs among his 10 hits, with an OPS of 1.619.

On BetMGM Sportsbook, Duran is at +225 to go Over 0.5 doubles, which is an inviting prop play considering half of his hits against Berrios have been two-baggers. He is at +550 to hit a home run. I don’t expect much from the Boston lineup on Friday, yet I will certainly consider wagering on Duran.

Toronto is coming off a series win at Cleveland and still gets my nod to win this game. The Jays took three of four games in Boston earlier this season, and the Red Sox certainly pose less of a challenge now.

The Sox mustered two runs in three of the past five games. But Toronto scored 20 runs in three games at Cleveland, so I won’t assume that the Under of 8.5 will be a safe play just because Boston is involved.

I’d consider the Blue Jays on the Run Line at +1.5, but don’t like taking them at -194 on DraftKings. Going with the moneyline wager is a much better call.

Red Sox vs. Blue Jays moneyline odds analysisWhy Boston could win as the favorite

Best odds: -125 at bet365

Overall, the Red Sox have won 10 of their last 17 games, and facing a divisional rival might re-energize the lineup at least for a game or two. Since the start of the 2024 season, Boston has won half of its 20 meetings with the Blue Jays. Familiarity could give the Sox a minor boost here.

If Boston is going to start turning things around before the All-Star break, now is an optimal time, as it will play 13 of its next 17 games at home. Returning to Fenway can certainly help, as the Red Sox have won five consecutive home games and six of seven. Putting a nine-game road trip behind could be a path to some better fortune.

Bello is seeking a fifth consecutive quality start and gives Boston a good chance of staying in Friday’s game. He has struck out 14 batters in his last 13 innings pitched. The pitching staff allowed three runs or less in nine of its last 14 games. Over the last 46 games, the bullpen’s 3.03 ERA ranks third in the Majors.

Why Toronto could win as the underdog

Best odds: +108 at DraftKings Sportsbook

I like Toronto very much as an underdog. How much the Red Sox are struggling on offense has already been highlighted, and Boston also leads Major League Baseball with 69 errors. The Jays have won 18 of their last 26 games.

Toronto has won nine of its last 15 road games. The Blue Jays’ hitters lead Major League Baseball in road strikeout rate. The pitching staff ranks fifth in MLB in strikeout rate. Entering play on Thursday,

Toronto ranked second in the Majors in batting average with runners in scoring position dating back to May 8 (.305).

Vladimir Guerrero has 17 RBI over the last month. George Springer is up to 15 RBI in June. Over the past month, he hit six home runs with 20 RBI.

Berrios is better in night games, as he has a 2.37 ERA under the lights. In four June starts, opposing batters are logging a .213 batting average against him.