The Toronto Blue Jays are big underdogs against the Boston Red Sox in the third game of a four-game set at Fenway Park

Toronto Blue Jays at Boston Red Sox

Toronto comes into the rubber match of its three-game series knowing that the pitching staff must limit walks in order to be successful Sunday.  “They’re not going to expand the zone when they’re in favorable counts,” said Blue Jays manager John Farrell.  “That’s what they’re very good at, that’s what they’re known for.”  The Blue Jays are also looking forward to their bullpen receiving added depth by the return of closer Frank Francisco, who threw a sharp rehab assignment for Class A Dunedin on Friday night.  Even after Saturday’s loss, the squad has won eight of its last 14 games at Fenway Park, dating back to 2009.  Toronto is 66-80 versus division opponents the last three years.

Blue Jays starting pitcher Jesse Litsch is 1-0 with a 2.38 ERA in two starts this season, scattering 11 hits over 11.1 innings and yet to allow a home run in the process.  After Tommy John surgery in 2009 and hip surgery in 2010, the right-hander looks strong after pitching five shutout innings in his last start against the Mariners.  He will be making his eighth career start versus the Red Sox, coming in with a 4-2 mark and 3.83 ERA.  Litsch will be throwing at Fenway Park for the fourth time today, posting an even 1-1 record and 6.46 ERA, allowing 21 hits in 15.1 innings of work.

Boston will try to win two games in a row for the first time this season after tallying a 4-1 victory over Toronto on Saturday afternoon.  The Red Sox made some adjustments to their lineup, including the benching of offseason acquisition Carl Crawford to try and jump start things.  “I guess I’m trying to do too much,” Crawford commented on his .137 average and one extra-base hit.  The club has now moved its record to 3-10 on the season after matching its worst start in franchise history, which was last done in 1996.  Boston is 1-6 against right-handed starters this season and 127-95 over the last three campaigns.

Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester dropped a 3-2 contest to the Rays in his last start, allowing three runs and seven hits over seven innings opposite of David Price.  The left-hander received no run support for his second consecutive start and has gone winless despite quality starts in each of his last two outings.  Lester has compiled a 7-4 record and 3.43 ERA in 13 career starts against the Blue Jays, going 3-1 in four outings versus them in 2010.

Bettors will likely back the Red Sox due to their 39-12 record as a home favorite with Lester on the hill, while the Blue Jays are 2-7 in Litsch’s last nine starts.