Stephen Drew has at least one hit in each of his last 12 games, and that should be welcomed news for the Red Sox as they continue their 10-game road trip Tuesday night in Toronto.
Drew, who will hit seventh in the lineup against the Blue Jays, is batting .422 (19-for-45) with two home runs and nine RBIs during his 12-game hitting streak. He’s been even better recently against Toronto, posting a .444 average (4-for-9) with three extra-base hits in his last three games against the Jays.
Boston will also hope to get more production from Dustin Pedroia, who has teed off against Toronto pitching this season. In 13 games, he’s batting .389 — including .481 in his last seven games — with one home run and six RBIs.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who sat out Sunday’s series finale against Kansas City, will return to the lineup and hit eighth, and Will Middlebrooks will again get the start at third base and bat ninth against the Blue Jays, who will send right-hander Todd Redmond to the mound. Redmond, who was recently recalled from Triple-A Buffalo, is 1-1 with a 4.22 ERA this season.
The Red Sox will counter with Ryan Dempster as they try to bounce back from losing three out of four against the Royals. Dempster has struggled this season (6-8, 4.67 ERA), but he pitched well his last time out against the Blue Jays on June 30, when he gave up two runs in 5 1/3 innings, earning a no-decision in a 5-4 Boston victory.
Check out the lineups for both teams below.
Boston Red Sox (71-49)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Shane Victorino, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Daniel Nava, LF
Mike Napoli, 1B
Stephen Drew, SS
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Ryan Dempster, RHP
Toronto Blue Jays (54-64)
Jose Reyes, SS
Rajai Davis, LF
Jose Bautista, RF
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B
Adam Lind, DH
Brett Lawrie, 3B
Maicer Izturis, 2B
J.P. Arencibia, C
Emilio Bonifacio, CF
Todd Redmond, RHP
