NESN

Cody Ross Heating Up, Hits Cleanup as Red Sox, Blue Jays Face Off in Final Game of Series

Editor's note: The temperature gauge is a Bill James-created statistic that measures how hot or cold hitters are. We will spotlight Red Sox and opposing team temperatures on game days.

Cody Ross has been one of the few bright spots for the
Red Sox in 2012, and he'll look to continue that Sunday afternoon as Boston aims to complete a three-game
sweep of the Blue Jays.

Ross homered in the second inning and also scored in the fourth as part of a 3-2 Red Sox victory on Saturday.

Jon Lester will take the mound for Boston after having major command issues in his last start against the Yankees, walking a career-high seven batters. Opposing Lester will be right-hander Brandon Morrow, who has pitched well for Toronto this season.

The Red Sox and Blue Jays are tied for last place in the AL East going into Sunday, each sitting 16 1/2 games behind the Yankees, and neither team wants to be in the cellar. A sweep of the Blue Jays would be Boston's first since going 3-0 the Marlins in mid-June.

Here are the hitting temperatures for the Red Sox and Blue Jays for Sunday, Sept. 16:

Red Sox

Dustin Pedroia, 91
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, 79
Mauro Gomez, 75
Jacoby Ellsbury, 74
Ryan Kalish, 73
Pedro Ciriaco, 69
James Loney, 67
Cody Ross, 65
Jose Iglesias, 63
Mike Aviles, 61
Daniel Nava, 60
Scott Podsednik, 54
Ryan Lavarnway, 54
Ivan De Jesus, 53

Blue Jays

Adam Lind, 82
Edwin Encarnacion, 80
Jeff Mathis, 72
Mike McCoy, 72
Yan Gomes, 71
Anthony Gose, 71
Omar Vizquel, 70
Adeiny Hechavarria, 67
Brett Lawrie, 67
Colby Rasmus, 67
Yorvit Torrealba, 62
Yunel Escobar, 59
Moises Sierra, 56
Kelly Johnson, 53
Rajai Davis, 52
J.P. Arencibia, 48