Joe Kelly Makes Season Debut For Red Sox In Series Opener Vs. Blue Jays

The Boston Red Sox played just two of their first four scheduled games against the Indians as cold and rainy weather made its way through Cleveland.

There will be no such issues for Boston’s three-game weekend series against the Blue Jays because the Rogers Centre in Toronto will have its roof closed Friday for the defending American League East champion’s home opener.

Joe Kelly will make his season debut for the Sox. The 27-year-old starter finished last season strong with eight wins in his last nine starts. He allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven of those outings.

The Jays will counter with young star Marcus Stroman, who gave up three earned runs and struck out five through eight innings in an Opening Day victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Friday’s matchup begins a 13-game stretch for the Red Sox against AL East opponents. It’s their second-longest such streak of the season.

Here are the lineups for both teams.

BOSTON RED SOX (1-1)
Mookie Betts, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, 1B
Travis Shaw, 3B
Brock Holt, LF
Ryan Hanigan, C
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF

Joe Kelly, RHP

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (2-2)
Kevin Pillar, CF
Josh Donaldson, DH
Jose Bautista, RF
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B
Troy Tulowitzki, SS
Michael Saunders, LF
Russell Martin, C
Ryan Goins, 2B
Darwin Barney, 3B

Marcus Stroman, RHP (1-0, 3.38 ERA)

Thumbnail photo via Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports Images