Before heading to the left coast, the Boston Red Sox look to make it three-straight wins over the Toronto Blue Jays in the series finale in a Patriot’s Day matinee at Fenway Park this morning.
Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 11:05 a.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Blue Jays television market, you can catch the game on SNET. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.
Daisuke Matsuzaka looks for his first win of 2011 after struggling in his first two starts. In those two starts, he is 0-2 with a 12.86 ERA (10 ER/7 IP). Dice-K faced the Blue Jays four times in 2010 and was 2-0 with a 3.71 ERA. Overall in his career, Dice-K has made 11 starts against Toronto and is 6-1 with a 3.80 ERA.
Ricky Romero makes his fourth start of 2011 for John Farrell and the Blue Jays. In his previous three starts, he is 1-1 with a 1.66 ERA. Romero made four starts against the Red Sox in 2010 and was 1-1 with a 7.17 ERA. In nine career starts against the Red Sox, he is 2-4 with a 7.42 ERA. Four of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 2-1 with a 4.63 ERA.
Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.
Here are today’s starting lineups:
 7-8 |
 4-10 |
||
| 1. Yunel Escobar | SS | 1. J.D. Drew | RF |
| 2. Corey Patterson | CF | 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
| 3. Jose Bautista | RF | 3. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B |
| 4. Adam Lind | 1B | 4. Kevin Youkilis | 3B |
| 5. Aaron Hill | 2B | 5. David Ortiz | DH |
| 6. J. P. Arencibia |
C | 6. Jed Lowrie | SS |
| 7. Travis Snider | LF | 7. Carl Crawford | LF |
| 8. Edwin Encarnacion | LF | 8. J.D. Drew | C |
| 9. Jayson Nix | 3B | 9. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
| Ricky Romero | SP | Daisuke Matsuzaka | SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against this morning’s starting pitchers:
Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.
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For Jacoby Ellsbury, no time like the present to reclaim leading man role [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Red Sox continue to put it together [Boston Globe]
He’s unexpectedly powerful [Boston Globe]
Easy does it for Saltalamacchia [Boston Globe]
Sox finally draw a pair [Boston Herald]
Salty run-scoring hits pepper win [Boston Herald]
Jon Lester has April power [Boston Herald]
Pats’ Day preview: Can Dice-K rebound? Where will Crawford hit? [Clubhouse Insider]
Pregame report: Red Sox calll up Hideki Okajima, option Felix Doubront to AAA [Clubhouse Insider]
Red Sox cruise to second straight win [CSNNE.com]
Saltalamacchia gives Red Sox offense extra cushion [CSNNE.com]
Notes: Lester treated to some run support [CSNNE.com]
Rapid reaction: Sox 8, Jays 1 [ESPN Boston]
Notes: Running Jays keep Sox on toes [ESPN Boston]
Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia give Boston Red Sox a boost [ESPN Boston]
Lackey looks to right ship Tuesday [ESPN Boston]
Closing Time: Red Sox 8, Blue Jays 1 [Full Count]
No April Fool’s start: Lester pleased with strong first month [Full Count]
For a day, he was worth his Salt [Full Count]
Red Sox Finally Able to Relax a Bit After Convincing Win Over Blue Jays [NESN.com]
Red Sox Looking for Three-Game Win Streak Behind ‘Power of the Snuggie’ [NESN.com]
Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia Provide Punch From Bottom of Order Against Blue Jays [NESN.com]
Poor Play, Injuries Throughout American League East Helping Red Sox’ Cause [NESN.com]
Hideki Okajima Recalled, Felix Doubront Optioned to Pawtucket [NESN.com]
Lester is solid, Ellsbury hits three-run homer [Providence Journal]
Crawford works overtime to snap slump [Providence Journal]
Red Sox journal: Francona turns to Bard in a jam [Providence Journal]
Francona not shy about using bench frequently [RedSox.com]
Consistent delivery has Papelbon in groove [RedSox.com]
Lackey adjusting to missed start due to rainout [RedSox.com]
Early bird special on tap for Sox, Jays [RedSox.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
And if you must check out the enemy papers, head over to the Toronto Star, Toronto Sun and the Globe and Mail websites.
Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images
