After several weeks in which the Red Sox didn't have many chances to taste the win column, they'll get to swing in the opposite direction Sunday, with a series sweep against the Toronto Blue Jays within reach.
The Red Sox have long lost the opportunity to play for a title, the playoffs or a winning season, but they can regain a certain measure of pride by showing their American League East counterparts who's better in the division. With a win Sunday, the Sox can record their first sweep since June, their first road sweep since April and put distance between themselves and the Jays for the No. 4 spot in the AL East.
While Jon Lester (9-11, 4.99 ERA) looks to continue his rebound for Boston, Brandon Morrow (8-6, 3.16) will take the ball for Toronto. Morrow hasn't faced the Red Sox this year, but he's 1-3 with a 9.53 ERA over 39 2/3 innings pitched against them in his career.
Several Boston hitters have good numbers against Morrow, including Dustin Pedroia (9-for-17) and Jacoby Ellsbury (8-for-16).
Lester, meanwhile, has been strong against this Toronto lineup, with Yunel Escobar (7-for-23) the only batter with more than five hits and better than a .300 average against Lester of those who have seen him more than a dozen times.
Here are the lineups for the Red Sox and Blue Jays for Sunday:
Red Sox (66-80)
Scott Podsednik, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Cody Ross, RF
James Loney, 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, DH
Ryan Lavarnway, C
Pedro Ciriaco, 3B
Jose Iglesias, SS
Jon Lester, P
Blue Jays (65-79)
Brett Lawrie, 3B
Colby Rasmus, CF
J.P. Arencibia, C
Adam Lind, 1B
Moises Sierra, RF
Yan Gomes, DH
Omar Vizquel, 2B
Adeiny Hechavarria, SS
Anthony Gose, LF
Brandon Morrow, P