The American League East race is about to get a lot more interesting.
The Boston Red Sox enter Friday in sole possession of first place in the AL East, but the Toronto Blue Jays are only one game behind and they’ll try to change that during a three-game series at Rogers Centre.
The series opener will feature a battle of top arms, as Red Sox right-hander Rick Porcello aims for his major league-best 20th win against Blue Jays righty Marco Estrada. Porcello has been white-hot, earning wins in 11 of his last 13 starts, while Estrada has scuffled a bit lately, having allowed five or more runs in three of his last four outings.
David Ortiz returns as Boston’s designated hitter after taking a seat during the team’s three-game set in San Diego. Travis Shaw will stay in the lineup at third base and bat sixth, while Brock Holt will get the start in left and bat ninth in favor of Chris Young.
Here are the lineups for Friday’s contest.
RED SOX (78-61)
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Mookie Betts, RF
Hanley Ramirez, 1B
Travis Shaw, 3B
Sandy Leon, C
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Brock Holt, LF
Rick Porcello, RHP (19-3, 3.23 ERA)
BLUE JAYSÂ (77-62)
Devon Travis, 2B
Josh Donaldson, 3B
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B
Jose Bautista, DH
Troy Tulowitzki, SS
Dioner Navarro, C
Michael Saunders, RF
Melvin Upton Jr., LF
Kevin Pillar, CF
Marco Estrada, RHP (8-7, 3.56 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Neville E. Guard/USA TODAY Sports Images
