Chowder and Champions’ Best Boston Bets for 8/4 (Red Sox Handle Blue Jays Again)

Following a day off, the Red Sox are back in action against the Blue Jays on Friday. This series is one of the most important for Boston this month, so the club needs to come out strong and take the early advantage. Meanwhile, we’re also looking ahead to the NFL season and the Patriots’ performance in the AFC East.

With that in mind, here are our editors’ best Boson betting picks for Aug. 4.

Best Boston Betting Picks: August 4

Tyler Maher: Red Sox Runline vs. Blue Jays

After a day off on Thursday, the Red Sox kick off a critical three-game series against the Blue Jays at Fenway Park on Friday. After losing to the Orioles yesterday, Toronto now leads Boston by only two games for the final Wild Card spot.

We have a clear edge in the pitching matchup with James Paxton on the mound. Despite being subject to trade rumors at the deadline, the veteran lefty is still here. He checks in with a 6-2 record, a 3.34 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP in 13 starts, including a 2-0 mark with a 2.25 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP in five starts at home.

The Blue Jays, meanwhile, are rolling with Alek Manoah, who’s been an absolute trainwreck this year. He’s been a bit better since getting demoted to the minors, but his overall numbers are still terrible. Across 17 starts, he’s 2-8 with a 5.87 ERA, a 6.13 FIP and a 1.79 WHIP.

The Red Sox have one of the best offenses in baseball (sixth in scoring at 4.95 runs per game), so they should have no trouble putting runs on the board against Manoah and giving Paxton an early lead. Boston’s also owned Toronto this year, going 7-0 against our rivals to the north with a plus-20 run differential.

Back the Sox to continue their domination of the Jays and cover the runline as home favorites.

Jason Schandl: Patriots Win Total Over

It’s Friday, and that has me in a good mood dreaming of NFL Sundays to come. The only thing that sours my mood today is how little respect the Pats are getting with this win total line — which is projecting them to win 7 games or fewer.

So if I understand correctly, switching from our disastrous lack of a real OC last year to Bill O’Brien this year should have us win fewer games? Having Mac Jones going into Year 3 (coincidentally the same year the other young AFC East QBs broke out) will have us win fewer games? Having an offseason that Pro Football Focus gave a B+ grade will have us win fewer games?

I don’t care if you think the Pats are a legit contender or not. I don’t care if you think the Pats will make the playoffs or not. Getting nearly even money on simply winning just as many games as we did last year when we’ve made some clear offseason improvements is just too good to pass up.

Isaiah De Los Santos: Red Sox Moneyline First 5 Innings vs. Blue Jays

The Red Sox are heading into an all-important series against the Blue Jays on Friday as the Wild Card race tightens. With ace James Paxton on the mound, I’m looking at Boston to start the game strong over the first five innings.

Toronto’s offense is coming off of a very disappointing series against the Orioles where they scored 3 runs or fewer in three of four games. Already down in the dumps, they now have to face Paxton, who humiliated them when they met previously on June 30. The righty went 7 ⅔ innings during that start, allowing zero runs and giving up just three hits to the Jays while on the road.

Paxton gets the benefit of playing at Fenway on Friday, where he’s excelled in 2023. He’s posted a very impressive 2.25 ERA at home this season while holding opponents to just 21 hits across 28.0 innings.

Toronto starter Alex Manoah’s had his struggles on the road (3.92 ERA) as well, which I think solidifies the Red Sox as a strong moneyline bet over the first five finnings.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.