If last night’s tilt between the Red Sox and the Blue Jays set up like a pitchers duel, tonight’s contest has a very different vibe. It also features two very different types of pitcher.

Toeing the rubber for Boston will be Jake Bennett, making just his fourth-career appearance at the MLB level. He’ll be opposed by 41-year-old Max Scherzer, who is closing in on 3,000 innings in his illustrious career. Opposites attract, I guess.

Let’s preview this divisional battle and make a couple picks on the DraftKings Sportsbook.

Jays vs. Red Sox prediction, preview

So, I mentioned Scherzer off the top. In his last outing, the one-day first ballot Hall of Fame pitcher struck out the 3,500th batter in his career. However, that milestone is about the only positive thing that’s happened for the veteran RHP in 2026. Scherzer has once again been limited by injury, starting only six games and throwing only 22.0 innings. However, it’s not like the Jays have really missed him when he’s been gone. Scherzer enters tonight’s contest in possession of a 10.23 ERA and a 8.78 FIP. He’s surrendered nine home runs in that small sample, along with registering a fourth percentile opponent barrel rate (13.2%) that’s almost higher than his third percentile strikeout rate (13.7%). It’s an odd thing to say about someone so accomplished, but this could be Scherzer’s last chance to keep his rotation spot in Toronto. It’s probably no coincidence that Shane Bieber will be making another rehab start this evening in Buffalo. He should be ready to return to the majors next week.

It also feels like Jake Bennett’s time at this level is fleeting, but for a very, very different reason. Don’t get me wrong, the 25-year-old earned this opportunity with the Red Sox by dominating Triple-A to the tune of a 1.60 ERA earlier this season, but Bennett’s main path to the big leagues was created by a slew of injuries in Boston’s rotation. Still, he’s held his own so far. His 3.88 FIP is far nicer to look at than his inflated 5.28 ERA, and is partially a product of an unsustainably low 64.8% strand rate. However, that’s not to say Bennett is without flaws. The former second-round pick is only striking out 12.3% of the batters he’s faced with the Red Sox, which bleeds into the “you make your own luck” perspective on pitching. This also might not be the best time to be running into the Blue Jays.

Toronto is three games below .500 this season, and while some of that woe is injury related, a lot of it has to do with underwhelming run production. Yet, in June, the Jays are swinging it with purpose. After three home runs in Tuesday’s victory, Toronto sits eighth in wRC+ (114) and ninth in wOBA (.338) in the month. That’s in addition to leading the AL in batting average (.274). Vladimir Guerrero Jr. might still be in a career-worst slump, but there’s been some signs of life from George Springer, who sports a .413 OBP and an .899 OPS over his last 10 games. If Springer can get back to anything close to his form in 2025, the Jays might be able to go on a bit of a run.

Jays vs. Red Sox pick, best bet

Best Bet: Max Scherzer Under 14.5 Outs Recorded (+101)

There’s just no way this prop should be plus-money. Scherzer hasn’t even pitched out of the fourth inning in four of his last five MLB starts. He’s got an ERA over 10.00. The Red Sox aren’t really hitting all that well, but that shouldn’t matter.

Strong Lean: George Springer 2+ Total Bases (+100)

Even in a down campaign, Springer continues to hit left-handed pitching exceedingly well. In 64 plate appearances within the split in 2026, the veteran DH is slashing .250/.365/.462 with a 131 wRC+. As mentioned above, Springer is also red-hot in his past 10 games.