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<\/a>Boston has split the first two of its current series with Toronto and comes off a 7-3 loss on Tuesday night.\u00a0 The Red Sox will play eight of their first 10 games during the daytime, which hasn\u2019t worked out so well in dropping its first three chances in that situation during the 2011 campaign.\u00a0 It\u2019s still important to note that the club finished with the third-best day record in the AL last year with a 30-20 mark.\u00a0 Boston is 23-31 in April the last two-plus seasons and the \u201cunder\u201d is 25-24 in that situation.<\/p>\n
Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester (0-0, 1.29 ERA) will make his second start of the 2012 season, as he received a no-decision in tossing seven innings against the Tigers in a 3-2 road loss on April 5.\u00a0 The left-hander went 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA over five starts against the Blue Jays in 2011, while possessing a solid 6-3 mark and 3.33 ERA in 11 career starts at today\u2019s venue.\u00a0 He won a team-leading seven of 10 daytime decisions a year ago, notching a 3.25 ERA in his 12 daytime efforts compared to 3.61 in 19 night outings.<\/p>\n
Toronto will play the third game of its current 11-day, nine-game homestand and will look for a series victory with a victory in this rubber match.\u00a0 The Blue Jays are hoping that star outfielder Jose Bautista can break out of his mini slump, going hitless in eight at-bats in this series.\u00a0 A contribution from him will definitely be necessary due to the club dropping the two previous matchups between today\u2019s pitchers by a combined 22-5.\u00a0 Toronto is 35-43 versus left-handed starters and the \u201cover\u201d is 40-35 in that situation the last two-plus seasons.<\/p>\n
Blue Jays starting pitcher Ricky Romero (0-0, 7.20 ERA) didn\u2019t end up with a decision in his Opening Day start against the Cleveland Indians on the road, surrendering four runs and three hits over five innings.\u00a0 The left-hander has been solid during the course of his career in April, posting a 6-4 mark and 2.67 ERA in 15 starts, as opponents have managed to hit just .210 against him.\u00a0 Romero hasn\u2019t enjoyed much success against the Red Sox, posting a losing 4-6 record and 7.12 ERA in 13 starts, issuing 39 walks and allowing 90 hits in 67 innings of work.<\/p>\n
Bettors will likely back the Red Sox due to their 5-1 record in Lester\u2019s last six starts in this series, while the Blue Jays are 1-4 in Romero\u2019s last five efforts as a home underdog.<\/p>\n