The Red Sox are banged up and missing several key starters, including DH David 'Big Papi' Ortiz. Back the Blue Jays at home in Toronto this evening when they take on Boston.
The Red Sox are now just 3½ games ahead of the Yankees in the AL East. It's Boston's smallest division margin since late April 26!
Manny Ramirez is expected to miss this series. First baseman Youkilis was held out of the starting lineup for the second straight game due to a swollen right wrist last night, DH David Ortiz has a sore knee and CF Coco Crisp has a stiff back. Jon Lester is 4-0 on the year in nine starts (team is 8-1) but owns a 4.86 ERA (5.40 on the road). He'll be up against a Toronto team that's 14-3 (plus-$1,059) in night home games in '07.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox must face Toronto's A.J. Burnett (8-7, 3.42 ERA), who has gone 3-1 with a 1.78 ERA in his last seven starts (team is 5-2). He's allowed only 25 hits in 50.2 innings, walking 18 and striking out 46. Take the Jays.
Free Pick: Blue Jays -140