Paul Byrd faces a familiar foe in the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 1 this afternoon.
The Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays are getting ready to play a day/night doubleheader at the Fens as the Red Sox look to make the Jays dreams of making playoffs just dreams and not reality.
That task of helping put the Jays to rest goes to Paul Byrd who will making his 3rd start in his last six games against them and 4th overall. On the season, Byrd is 2-1 with a 4.03 ERA. In 9 starts in his career against the Blue Jays, he is 5-4 with a 3.39 ERA.
A.J. Burnett makes the start on 3 days rest for Cito Gaston. He is 1-0 with a 3.07 ERA in two starts against the Red Sox this season and 4-0 with a 2.70 ERA in six career starts against them.
Hideki Okajima will be back with the Red Sox next season as his option vested for 2009 when he made his 115th appearance. He will be making $1.75 million next season.
Alex Speier of WEEI has a look at the Jays next 3 starters who will be starting on 3 days rest.
Lineups and batter/pitcher matchups after the jump.
79-68
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. Rod Barajas, C
8. Scott Rolen, 3B
9. Travis Snider, LF
– A.J. Burnett, SP
86-60
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, RF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Mike Lowell, 3B
5. Sean Casey, 1B
6. Jason Bay, LF
7. Jed Lowrie, SS
8. Jason Varitek, C
9. Coco Crisp, CF
– Paul Byrd, SP
And here is how the hitters have fared against this afternoon’s starting pitchers courtesy of Baseball Reference.
