The Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays are gearing up for the final game of their three-game series on Wednesday night. Both teams will be looking to bolster their rosters during the offseason after facing challenges in the competitive American League East. The pitching matchup for this game features the Red Sox’s rookie right-hander Richard Fitts (0-0, 0.00) against the veteran righty Kevin Gausman of the Blue Jays (13-11, 3.91). Fans can expect the first pitch at 7:05 pm EST.
Boston Bets on Rising Star Fitts
The Red Sox enter the season’s closing stretch focused on the future. With the integration of numerous young talents, the team is poised to make significant changes, potentially letting go of several seasoned players. The aim for these last four games is to finish strong and instill hope in the younger roster for the upcoming season. Boston kicked off this series with a solid 4-1 victory, powered by a strong performance from Tanner Houck. In a thrilling comeback on Tuesday, they turned a 3-0 deficit into a 6-5 win, thanks to a crucial double from Trevor Story in the 10th inning.
Richard Fitts, the rookie righty, will take the mound in the series finale on Wednesday. Since being called up from the minors, he has emerged as a bright spot for the Red Sox. The 24-year-old has pitched 15.2 innings over three starts without allowing an earned run. With 13 hits against him, five walks, and seven strikeouts, he appears to gain confidence with every outing. Unfortunately, the bullpen has struggled, resulting in the team being 0-3 in games he started.
Key Injuries: 3B Rafael Devers, SS David Hamilton, RP Kenley Jansen, and SP James Paxton are sidelined.
Blue Jays Rely on Gausman’s Experience
The Blue Jays are playing out the remainder of the season, having secured a last-place finish in the AL East Division. Despite having a capable starting rotation and a solid lineup, injuries and inconsistent performances have hindered their chances at a division title. The Blue Jays fell short in the opener, losing 4-1, and on Tuesday, they let a 3-0 lead slip away, ultimately losing 6-5 after leaving the bases loaded in the 10th inning.
Veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman will take the hill for the Blue Jays in this crucial matchup. While his season hasn’t met his typical standards, he has shown improvement in recent outings. With a record of 13-11 and a 3.91 ERA in 30 starts, including 15 quality starts, Gausman is looking to end the season on a high note. He recently pitched five no-hit innings against the Rangers but had to exit the game early due to discomfort. However, he is ready to make his final start of the season.
Key Injuries: RP Jordan Romano, SS Bo Bichette, CF Daulton Varsho, 3B Will Wagner, and SP Alek Manoah are out.
Best Bets for Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays
The Red Sox have expressed satisfaction with Fitts’ performance since his promotion to the rotation in September. However, he has yet to pitch beyond five innings, leaving the team reliant on their bullpen, which has struggled to secure wins in games he started. Given that this is Fitts’ last appearance of the season, it is likely that he will again be limited to five innings. On the other hand, Gausman is coming off a commendable start against Texas and will be given the chance to dictate his outing’s length. He aims to surpass 180 innings for the season and could reach 170 strikeouts against a free-swinging Red Sox lineup. The Blue Jays have secured victories in three of his last five starts, and Gausman understands the significance of finishing strong as he adds to his season totals. Fans can expect him to deliver another strong performance in what is projected to be a pivotal game for both teams.
