Paul Byrd to Start Sunday for Red Sox

by Michael Hurley on Sat, Aug 29, 2009 at 10:38PM

Terry Francona announced at his postgame news conference that veteran Paul Byrd will start on Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. He'll be opposed by Toronto ace Roy Halladay.

Marcus McBeth, who was called up earlier on Saturday, will be sent back down to Triple-A.

In his 13-year career, Byrd owns a 108-93 record with a 4.38 ERA, 912 strikeouts and 390 walks. Last year, Byrd appeared in eight games for the Red Sox, going 4-2 with a 4.78 ERA. With both Cleveland and Boston last year, he went 2-2 with a 4.86 ERA against the Blue Jays.

Byrd, 38, will have a tall order when he takes the hill on Sunday with Halladay pitching for Toronto. Halladay is 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA against the Red Sox this season. He's pitched two games with very different outcomes — a complete-game, one-run performance on July 19 and a five-inning, four-run performance on Aug. 19.