The Red Sox and Blue Jays game is in a rain delay. The game is now expected to start at 8:25 p.m.
After having the day off on Thursday as they returned home from a miserable 1-8 road trip, the Boston Red Sox return to action as they’ll kick off a six-game, seven-day home stanza. Tonight they’ll host the Toronto Blue Jays in the Battle for the Basement in the first game of a three-game set.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.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 Rogers SportsNet. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.
Felix Doubront toes the rubber for the 25th time this season for embattled skipper Bobby Valentine. In his previous 24 starts, Doubront is 10-7 with a 5.03 ERA. He’s made three starts against the Jays this season and is 1-1 with a 4.67 ERA (9 ER/17.1 IP). Doubront has made eight career appearances (three starts) against them and is 2-1 with a 4.37 ERA. Four of those appearances (one start) have come at the Fens where he is 0-1 with a 4.82 ERA (5 ER/9.1 IP).
Henderson Alvarez makes his 27th start for new Red Sox manager Blue Jays skipper John Farrell this season. In his previous 26 starts, Alvarez is 7-12 with a 5.04 ERA. He’s made four starts against the Red Sox this season and is 2-1 with a 5.87 ERA (15 ER/23 IP). The second year pitcher has made five career starts against the Red Sox and is 2-1 with a 4.66 ERA. Two of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 2-0 with a 8.44 ERA (10 ER/10.2 IP).
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:
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| 1. Brett Lawrie | 3B | 1. Scott Podsednik | LF |
| 2. Colby Rasmus | CF | 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
| 3. Edwin Encarnacion | 1B | 3. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
| 4. Yunel Escobar | SS | 4. Cody Ross | RF |
| 5. Adam Lind | DH | 5. James Loney | 1B |
| 6. J.P. Arencibia | C | 6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia | C |
| 7. Kelly Johnson | 2B | 7. Mike Aviles | SS |
| 8. Moises Sierra | RF | 8. Pedro Ciriaco | 3B |
| 9. Rajai Davis | LF | 9. Ryan Kalish | DH |
| Henderson Alvarez | SP | Felix Doubront | 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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Red Sox bracing for Ortiz to miss rest of season; Lackey to face hitters [clubhouse insider]
Farrell dismisses Red Sox speculation … for now [clubhouse insider]
Valentine: Ortiz may not return this year [csn new england]
Lackey to throw batting practice Saturday [csn new england]
Report: Red Sox may turn to Scioscia for manager’s job [csn new england]
Farrell focused on Toronto ballclub [csn new england]
Sox-Jays, 7:05 [espn boston]
Big Papi likely done [espn boston]
Lackey could see action; Nava close [espn boston]
Sox glad to be home vs. Farrell’s Jays [espn boston]
John Farrell addresses speculation [espn boston]
Lackey “excited” to face live hitters Saturday [extra bases]
Toronto manager John Farrell’s focus squarely on the Blue Jays [extra bases]
Dustin Pedroia Still on Fire as Red Sox Welcome Blue Jays for Three-Game Set in Boston [nesn.com]
David Ortiz May Not Return to Red Sox This Season Despite Desire to Play Again [nesn.com]
John Lackey ‘Sure Is Close’ To Being Fully Recovered, Will Throw Batting Practice Saturday [nesn.com]
A Series Matter: Red Sox-Blue Jays and Defining Terms [projo sox blog]
Middlebrooks: “It’s pretty tough being a cheerleader” [projo sox blog]
Ortiz unlikely to be back this season [projo sox blog]
Lackey to throw live BP Saturday [projo sox blog]
Atchison thinks he’s one outing away from return [projo sox blog]
Doubront looks for better results vs. Jays at home [redsox.com]
Lackey to begin throwing batting practice [alex speier – weei.com]
Farrell: ‘I’m the manager of the Blue Jays’ [alex speier – weei.com]
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photo credits: getty images, getty images
