Series preview: Blue Jays hope to maintain success against Red Sox - Sportsnet.ca

The Toronto Blue Jays look to keep rolling on the road when they play a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

While the Blue Jays are in the thick of the wild-card race, the Red Sox have faded badly and appear destined to miss the playoffs.

Here’s a look at the series between the AL East rivals.

Probable pitchers

Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. ET / 4:10 p.m. PT: Toronto RHP Ross Stripling (5-3, 2.93 ERA) vs. Boston RHP Josh Winckowski (5-6, 5.19 ERA)

Wednesday, 7:10 p.m. ET / 4:10 p.m. PT: Toronto TBD vs. Boston TBD

Thursday, 7:10 p.m. ET / 4:10 p.m. PT: Toronto TBD vs. Boston TBD

(All games on Sportsnet)

Latest on the Blue Jays

The Blue Jays (65-55) have won four of five in the aftermath of a rough spell, including taking three of four last weekend in New York against the AL East-leading Yankees.

The surge has pushed Toronto into a tie with the Seattle Mariners for the second wild-card spot, a half game back of the Tampa Bay Rays.

As is often the case, starting pitching has been the key to Toronto’s recent success.

The Blue Jays have given up just nine runs in the past five games.

Latest on the Red Sox

The Red Sox (60-62) are six games back of a wild-card spot and appear to be heading toward missing the playoffs for the third time in four seasons.

Boston is coming off a 2-1 series loss to the Baltimore Orioles, capped by a 5-3 setback in the Little League Classic on Sunday in Williamsport, Pa.

After going 20-6 in June, the Red Sox went 8-19 in July and are now 9-10 in August, dropping them to the fringes of playoff contention.

Pitching plans

The Red Sox had hoped to start right-hander Nathan Eovaldi in Tuesday’s series opener. But he has a sore trap muscle, forcing the Red Sox to call up Winckowski from triple-A to start against Toronto.

Welcome back

Longtime Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. makes his return to Fenway with the Blue Jays after getting released by Boston earlier this month.

Bradley Jr. had a big two-run double in Toronto’s win in New York on Saturday.

Season series

The Blue Jays have dominated, winning 10 of 13 to date.

The most recent series was a Blue Jays sweep of a three-gamer last month at Fenway Park, highlighted by a historic 28-5 win in the opener.

The Red Sox are 16-32 against the AL East this year.

Up next

The Blue Jays return home for three games against the Los Angeles Angels and then three versus the Chicago Cubs.

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2022-08-23 15:52:00Z
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