Boston is six games out in the American League East after splitting four games in New York. Behind Jon Lester and some overpowering bullpen work, the Sox won the finale 2-1, heading north on a positive note and still talking about potentially winning the division.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, who has quietly been one of Boston's best performers of late, will start the opener in the Rogers Centre. Ricky Romero goes for the Jays, who just swept three straight from the Tampa Bay Rays.
WHEN AND WHERE
Red Sox (64-49) at Blue Jays (59-52)
Tuesday, August 10, 7:07 p.m.
Rogers Centre, Toronto
HEAD TO HEAD
The Sox lead the season series 7-2.
PITCHING MATCHUP
RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (8-3, 3.96 ERA) vs. LHP Ricky Romero (9-7, 3.37 ERA)
Matsuzaka has allowed just one run in three of his last four starts and saw his ERA drop below 4.00 for the first time all season after a stellar outing at home five days ago. Facing Cleveland, Matsuzaka yielded a run on five hits in eight innings. He is 2-0 with a 2.36 ERA in four starts since the All-Star break.
The 29-year-old righty has given up just three runs in two wins against Toronto this year and is 6-1 in his career vs. the Jays.
Romero has been Toronto's best pitcher for most of the season, but he was downright awful against Boston before the All-Star break. He gave up nine runs — five earned — on five hits and three walks in just 2 1/3 innings.
Since then, the young lefty has gone 3-1 with a 2.05 ERA.
LINEUPS
| Red Sox | Blue Jays |
|---|---|
| Marco Scutaro, SS J.D. Drew, RF David Ortiz, DH Victor Martinez, C Adrian Beltre, 3B Mike Lowell, 1B Bill Hall, LF Jed Lowrie, 2B Jacoby Ellsbury, CF |
Fred Lewis, CF Yunel Escobar, SS Jose Bautista, RF Aaron Hill, 2B Adam Lind, DH Edwin Encarnacion, 3B Lyle Overbay, 1B J.P. Arencibia, C Travis Snider, LF |
STAT SHEET
Red Sox
- Boston has now won or split 10 of its last 13 road series.
- Third baseman Adrian Beltre had a season-high 14-game hitting streak come to an end Monday.
- The Red Sox stole six bases Monday, the most they have had since June 17, 2008, at Philadelphia. Jacoby Ellsbury tied Jerry Remy's team record with four.
Blue Jays
- Outfielder Jose Bautista leads the majors with 34 home runs.
- Toronto is 14-22 in one-run games.
- The Jays have won 11 of their last 12 games against AL East opponents.
BLACK AND BLUE
Red Sox
- First baseman Kevin Youkilis had successful surgery Friday to repair the torn right adductor muscle on his right hand. He will miss the remainder of the season.
- Center fielder Mike Cameron is on the DL with a lower abdominal strain. He’s taking precaution with his return and is trying to rest as much as possible. Cameron was preparing to hit off a tee Sunday.
- Second baseman Dustin Pedroia (broken left foot) ran the bases in addition to fielding and hitting Sunday. He hopes to return next week.
- Catcher Jason Varitek (broken right foot) hit on the field for the first time Sunday. He remains weeks behind Pedroia.
- Left-hander Hideki Okajima was placed on the DL on Friday with a right hamstring strain.
- Righty Junichi Tazawa underwent Tommy John surgery in March. He is out for the year.
Blue Jays
- Catcher John Buck is on the DL with a lacerated right thumb.
- Right-hander Dustin McGowan has missed the entire season following shoulder surgery.
- Right-hander Jesse Litsch is on the DL with a hip injury.
OUTLOOK
The Sox have performed well in Toronto this season, but it has been a house of horrors at times in recent years. With the way the Jays are playing, this is a dangerous stop for Boston.
