After winning 3-2 yesterday to clinch their first series win since July 31st, the Boston Red Sox look for the sweep this afternoon of the Toronto Blue Jays in the finale of a three-game set for the Battle of the Basement at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:07 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Yankees television market, you can catch the game on Rogers SportsNet and TVA Sports (French broadcast). If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.
Jon Lester steps to the rubber for a team-leading 30th time in 2012. In his previous 29 starts, Lester is 9-11 with a 4.99 ERA. He’s made three starts against the Jays this season and is 1-2 with an 8.53 ERA (18 ER/19 IP). Lester has made 21 career starts against the Jays and is 11-6 with a 3.86 ERA. 12 of those starts have come north of the border where he is 6-4 with a 3.33 ERA.
Brandon Morrow makes his 18th start of the season this afternoon. In his previous 17 starts, Morrow is 8-6 with a 3.16 ERA. He has not faced the Red Sox this season and was 1-2 with a 12.32 ERA in four starts in 2011. Morrow has made 15 career appearances (seven starts) against the visiting nine and is 1-3 with a 9.53 ERA.
Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the overnight and day if you’re on the home page.
Here are today’s lineups:
 66-80 |
 65-79 |
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| 1. Scott Podsednik | LF | 1. Brett Lawrie | 3B |
| 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B | 2. Colby Rasmus | CF |
| 3. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF | 3. Edwin Encarnacion | DH |
| 4. Cody Ross | RF | 4. Yunel Escobar | SS |
| 5. James Loney | 1B | 5. Adam Lind | 1B |
| 6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia | DH | 6. J.P. Arencibia | C |
| 7. Ryan Lavarnway | C | 7. Moises Sierra | RF |
| 8. Pedro Ciriaco | 3B | 8. Adeiny Hechavarria | 2B |
| 9. Jose Iglesias | SS | 9. Anthony Gose | LF |
| Jon Lester | SP | Brandon Morrow | SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:
NOTES:
REFRESH OR CHECK BACK OFTEN AS MORE LINKS WILL BE ADDED BEFORE GAMETIME IF/WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND WILL BE BOLDED
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Finally, Sox go back-to-back [boston herald]
No names, less misery for Red Sox [boston herald]
Andrew Bailey way better late [boston herald]
Son shines on Dustin Pedroia [boston herald]
Clay Buchholz builds on quality run [boston herald]
Chris Carpenter doing handy work for Red Sox [clubhouse insider]
Why better luck, not tough love, has keyed Jon Lester’s improvement [clubhouse insider]
Bobby Valentine clarifies “weakest roster” comment [clubhouse insider]
Ciriaco clutch hit helps Sox edge Jays 3-2 [csn new england]
Bailey making up for lost time [csn new england]
Valentine clarifies ‘weakest roster’ comments [csn new england]
Rapid Reaction: Red Sox 3, Blue Jays 2 [espn boston]
Clay Buchholz a bright spot for Sox [espn boston]
Valentine clarifies ‘weakest roster’ remark [extra bases]
Daniel Nava Finding Ways to Contribute Offensively, Defensively After DL Stint [nesn.com]
Jackie Bradley Jr. Excels in First Full Year in Professional Baseball (Video) [nesn.com]
Red Sox Show Attitude, Win Two Straight After Bobby Valentine Calls Roster ‘Weak’ [nesn.com]
Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots, Bruins Can Pin Problems on Sketchy Drawings That Doomed Their Seasons [nesn.com]
Cody Ross Heating Up, Hits Cleanup as Red Sox, Blue Jays Face Off in Final Game of Series [nesn.com]
Why September has been even worse than you think [projo sox blog]
Valentine clarifies “weakest roster” comment [projo sox blog]
Lester, Red Sox look to brush aside Blue Jays [redsox.com]
Kalish will be used sparingly down the stretch [redsox.com]
Valentine impressed with Carpenter’s repertoire [redsox.com]
Following birth of second son, Pedroia returns to lineup [redsox.com]
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photo credits: getty images, getty images
