The Red Sox went about their business as usual after clinching a playoff spot Thursday night. Expect a bit more emotion if they knock off the Blue Jays on Friday.
A win over Toronto — or a Tampa Bay loss — will clinch the American League East for the Sox, marking just their second division title in the last 18 years.
Boston will be going for consistency in the series opener with the Jays, trotting out an identical lineup to the one that defeated Baltimore one night earlier. The only change will be the man on the mound, as Jon Lester goes for his fifth win in seven starts.
Lester has been downright dominant throughout that stretch, allowing more than one run just twice and working into the eighth or ninth inning on four occasions. The lefty is 3-0 in five starts against Toronto this season, including a complete-game one-hitter with zero runs and zero walks back on May 10.
Check out the starting lineups for both teams below.
Boston Red Sox (93-61)
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Daniel Nava, RF
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Mike Carp, LF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Stephen Drew, SS
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Jon Lester, P
Toronto Blue Jays (70-82)
Jose Reyes, SS
Rajai Davis, LF
Brett Lawrie, 3B
Colby Rasmus, CF
Moises Sierra, DH
Mark DeRosa, 1B
Anthony Gose, RF
J.P. Arencibia, C
Ryan Goins, 2B
Esmil Rogers, P
