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.
Red Sox (64-49) at Blue Jays (59-52)
Tuesday, August 10, 7:07 p.m.
Rogers Centre, Toronto
The Sox lead the season series 7-2.
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.
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 |
Red Sox
Blue Jays
Red Sox
Blue Jays
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.