The Boston Red Sox turned around their struggling offense after two tough losses to the New York Yankees by crushing the Toronto Blue Jays 8-1 on Friday night. They hope to keep that momentum Saturday afternoon.
Clay Buchholz, who’s 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA this season, seeks his first win of the season as the Red Sox meet the Blue Jays in a 1:07 p.m. game at Toronto’s Rogers Centre. Opposing Buchholz will be Blue Jays right-hander Brandon Morrow, who has a 5.03 ERA in his four starts this season. Morrow also has an undesirable 1-3 record and 7.99 ERA against Boston.
Dustin Pedroia will bat leadoff for the Red Sox, with Shane Victorino hitting second and David Ortiz in his usual No. 3 spot.
Mike Carp returns to the Boston lineup following a strange relief pitching experience Thursday night against the Yankees. He will play first base and bat cleanup.
Xander Bogaerts will sit out Saturday’s game, with Jonathan Herrera batting eighth and filling in at shortstop. This marks just the second game of the season in which Bogaerts has been benched.
Both Grady Sizemore and Jackie Bradley Jr. will occupy the outfield, with Sizemore batting fifth and playing left and Bradley Jr. hitting ninth and in center.
Check out the lineups below.
Boston Red Sox (11-13)
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Shane Victorino, RF
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Carp, 1B
Grady Sizemore, LF
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Jonathan Herrera, SS
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Clay Buchholz, RHP (0-2, 7.71 ERA)
Toronto Blue Jays (11-12)
Jose Reyes, SS
Melky Cabrera, LF
Jose Bautista, DH
Juan Francisco, 1B
Dioner Navarro, C
Colby Rasmus, CF
Brett Lawrie, 3B
Moises Sierra, RF
Ryan Goins, 2B
Brandon Morrow, RHP (1-2, 5.03 ERA)
