Red Sox @ Blue Jays Odds, Line, Total, Favorite and Predictions – Free MLB Picks 5-11-11

Free MLB Picks and Odds: Boston Red Sox at Toronto Blue Jays Favorite, Moneyline, Total and Predictions 5/11/11: The Boston Red Sox were baffled by an opening inning surge by the Toronto Blue Jays, but were able to muscle their way back and send the affair into extra innings. Jon Lester was average, at best, as he allowed 7 hits, two homers in 5.1 innings of work. The first inning saw him give up three free bases, which eventually loaded the bases with no outs on the board. After loading the bases, Lester had a fiery exchange with first plate umpire Paul Emmel and needed to be consoled by a few of his teammates. After getting out of the first inning with 3 runs to his name he settled into his comfort zone, but Jose Bautista and J.P. Arencibia were able to touch him up for over the fencers. It was an uncharacteristic night for Lester in that he did not command his pitches in the strike zone and he gave up an abnormal amount of bases on balls. On a positive note, Adrian Gonzalez may finally have rekindled his touch for going yard. The all-star first basemen connected on two dingers to fly away dead centre, two hits that careered a very long way. Boston will look to earn a series tie tonight when they send John Lackey to the mound, an ageless pitcher that may finally be realizing that his age has caught up to him.

The Blue Jays once again proved last night that they are ready to go for first pitch in the opening game of a series. The Jays have come to be known for opening game wins and yesterday they watched an early lead slip away but bounced back with an extra inning sacrifice fly. Kyle Drabek took the mound for the Blue Jays last night and took away some positives, as well as negatives to work on. He found himself in trouble early in the first inning but turned an excellent pickoff attempt into an out at second base before fanning the next two hitters. In the end, Drabek pitched 5 innings and gave up 8 hits and 4 earned runs. Yet, it was not all negative. Drabek flexed his muscle in sticky situations and was able to pound the strike zone with a ensemble of big league pitches. Going forward he will need to focus on situational pitches and maximizing his best pitches rather than his weaker ones. On another note, Jose Bautista was able to connect for his 11th homer of the year and every indication is that he will be contending for the homer crown come late September.

Tonight we will recommend a play on the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox were the better club last night, but a terrible first inning on the part of Jon Lester and a mix up in communication between Jason Varitek and Matt Albers in extra innings cost them the game. They were able to hit the young talented arm of Kyle Drabek and they executed sound defensive baseball for the majority of the tilt. Tonight they will send John Lackey to the mound for another attempt to rekindle his touch. The veteran hurler has had issues this year with velocity and control, but he has received a vote of confidence across the board in Boston so it looks as though he will get every opportunity to stick around. Lackey has owned the Blue Jays in his career, posting a 15-4 record against them. The Jays have a tendency to excite, before disappoint, and I expect the bats to be not as hot as last night. We will consider the Red Sox pulling this series to a tie tonight. Cheers!

Free Pick: Boston Red Sox -125(moneyline)
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