Several Red Sox hitters will be licking their chops when they step into the batter's box Tuesday in Toronto. They own Ricky Romero.
The Blue Jays' left-hander is 1-4 with an 8.76 ERA in his career against Boston. Included in that mess is a .376 opponents' batting average and 21 walks in just 24 2/3 innings.
Boston's lineup for the three-game series opener, which features Jacoby Ellsbury batting ninth for the second straight game, is a collective 27-for-63 (.429) with two home runs off Romero.
Bill Hall had a two-run homer against Romero in a 14-3 Red Sox rout in Toronto just prior to the All-Star break. He is 3-for-4 off the lefty and 4-for-8 with a home run and two RBIs in his last two games overall.
Ellsbury was dropped from the leadoff spot to ninth Monday in New York and responded by snapping a long hitless streak in his first at-bat and then tying a franchise record with four stolen bases.
Jed Lowrie, the lone Boston starter to never face Romero, is making his first start since Saturday.
Red Sox righty Daisuke Matsuzaka, unlike Romero, has enjoyed the matchups between these two teams. Toronto's starting lineup is a combined 13-for-90 (.144) against Matsuzaka. Designated hitter Adam Lind is 1-for-20 (.050) with eight strikeouts.
A late change in the Jays' lineup removed Yunel Escobar replacing him with John McDonald who will now hit ninth and play shortstop. McDonald is 0-for-10 in his career against Matsuzaka.
Here are the lineups for both teams:
Red Sox
1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. J.D. Drew, RF
3. Victor Martinez, C
4. David Ortiz, DH
5. Adrian Beltre, 3B
6. Mike Lowell, 1B
7. Bill Hall, LF
8. Jed Lowrie, 2B
9. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Blue Jays
1. Fred Lewis, CF
2. Travis Snider, LF
3. Jose Bautista, RF
4. Aaron Hill, 2B
5. Adam Lind, DH
6. Edwin Encarnacion, 3B
7. Lyle Overbay, 1B
8. J.P. Arencibia, C
9. John McDonald, SS
