Well look who it is. It’s the Toronto Blue Jays again. If it seems like the Red Sox have only been playing the Jays and Tampa Rays the past two weeks, that’s because they have been. Since September 8th, the Red Sox have played the Rays for 3 games, Jays for 4 games, the Rays for another 3 games and they close out with the Jays for another 3 games.
And wouldn’t you know it, Paul Byrd is on the bump for the Red Sox tonight making his 7th start for them and 4th overall against the Blue Jays as a member of the Red Sox. This will be the second time this season that he had made at least two straight starts against the Jays. He made one with Cleveland Indians, then took on the Jays in his 1st Red Sox start and followed that up with his third straight start against them. He also faced the Jays his last time out where he was pounded for 10 hits and 5 runs in 5 innings. If the pattern holds true, he’s due for a win this time. In those 4 starts, he is 2-2 with a 4.94 ERA. In his career at Rogers Centre, he is 2-3 with a 3.93 ERA and is 5-5 with 3.80 ERA lifetime against the Jays.
Cito Gaston counters with A.J. Burnett who has absolutely owned the Red Sox in his career. Burnett is 5-0 with a 2.37 ERA and was on the winning end of Byrd’s last start. He is 2-0 in 3 starts this season against the Red Sox.
Baseball America is starting to release it’s top prospects list for each league and the Red Sox had two players from the GCL Red Sox to make the list and 3 from the Lowell Spinners so far.
And in case you missed the news, the Red Sox have signed a two-year PDC with the Salem Avalanche.
Jason Bay is back with the Red Sox after leaving the team to be with his wife for the birth of their daughter.
Bartolo Colon has been put on the restricted list because he’s not happy with the role the Red Sox have for him for the rest of the season.
Mike Lowell won’t play this weekend but hopes to return for a few games next week.
Starting lineups for tonight’s game as well as the batter/pitcher matchups are after the jump.
89-63
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. Sean Casey, 1B
6. Jason Bay, LF
7. Mark Kotsay, RF
8. Jed Lowrie, SS
9. Jason Varitek, C
– Paul Byrd, SP
82-71
1. Joe Inglett, 2B
2. Marco Scutaro, SS
3. Alex Rios, RF
4. Vernon Wells, CF
5. Lyle Overbay, 1B
6. Adam Lind, DH
7. Scott Rolen, 3B
8. Gregg Zaun, C
9. Travis Snider, LF
– A.J. Burnett, SP
And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers.
