The Toronto Blue Jays will begin a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Friday.
PITCHING MATCHUPS
Friday: Toronto RHP Henderson Alvarez (3-4, 3.56 earned-run average) vs. Boston RHP Clay Buchholz (4-2, 7.19)
Saturday: Toronto RHP Kyle Drabek (4-5, 4.55) vs. Boston LHP Felix Doubront (5-2, 3.86).
Sunday: Toronto RHP Drew Hutchison (4-2, 4.84) vs. Boston RHP Daniel Bard (5-5, 4.56).
NEED TO KNOW
After an off-day following a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles, the Blue Jays continue their foray against American League East rivals. Teams in the East are beastly, with all teams over .500 and just 2 1/2 games separating the first- and last-placed team heading into play on Thursday. After a slow start, the Red Sox have played their way back into the thick of things, their victory over the Detroit Tigers last Wednesday their 14th win in their past 19 games. Boston remains injury-plagued to the point where Adrian Gonzalez, a first baseman by trade, has been playing of late in right field.