Toronto Blue Jays @ Boston Red Sox
Tuesday, September 5, 7:10 PM ET , Fenway Park
Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP... ERA- 4.40, FIP- 4.08 xFIP- 4.41, WAR- 1.6
The lefty hasn’t been able to regain his form since returning from the DL, going 0-3 with a 5.47 ERA in his last nine starts. Rodriguez is 1-1 with a 4.23 ERA in eight starts at Fenway this season. He is 1-3 with a 6.15 ERA in his career vs. Toronto.
Marco Estrada, RHP... ERA- 5.23, FIP- 4.54, xFIP- 4.99, WAR- 2.2
Marco Estrada had been making progress but took a step back in his last game. He allowed six runs on 10 hits over five innings. It was the second time in August he allowed six earned runs; the other starts he allowed three earned runs or fewer.
Tonights' Line-ups...
Boston Red Sox
1. Eduardo Nunez ® 3B
2. Dustin Pedroia ® 2B
3. Andrew Benintendi (L) LF
4. Mookie Betts ® RF
5. Hanley Ramirez ® DH
6. Mitch Moreland (L) 1B
7. Xander Bogaerts ® SS
8. Christian Vazquez ® C
9. Jackie Bradley Jr. (L) CF
Toronto Blue Jays
1. Steve Pearce ® 1B
2. Josh Donaldson ® 3B
3. Kendrys Morales (S) DH
4. Jose Bautista ® RF
5. Kevin Pillar ® CF
6. Darwin Barney ® 2B
7. Teoscar Hernandez ® LF
8. Luke Maile ® C
9. Richard Urena (S) SS
Preview...
By Quinn Roberts / MLB.com
Nothing has been easy for Red Sox left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez since he came off the disabled list on July 17 after dealing with an injured left knee -- in nine starts he's 0-3 with a 5.47 ERA. He'll try to get that elusive win on Tuesday at Fenway Park against the Blue Jays and right-hander Marco Estrada.
Rodriguez has lost his last two starts, falling to 4-5 overall with a 4.40 ERA. On Thursday against the Yankees, he allowed five runs on 10 hits in five innings.
With the Red Sox holding a 2 1/2-game lead over the Yankees in the American League East, manager John Farrell believes that the key to staying atop the division is consistent starting pitching.
"We know the importance of these games as we get deeper into the season. What we've witnessed and lived is that our guys have been able to separate from poor series and games," Farrell said. "The inconsistencies, I don't think, are a matter of guys pressing or trying to do more. Sometimes we haven't pitched as well to keep a game in check and help our offense get on track. To me that has probably been the biggest key of all."
Although Estrada didn't have his best stuff on Thursday against the Orioles, he picked up his seventh victory of the season. He allowed at least one run during each of the first three innings, and was charged with six runs on 10 hits over five innings.
Estrada has three wins in his last five outings after previously going two months between victories.
• After getting the day off on Monday, expect Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia back in the lineup on Tuesday. The club will continue to gradually build him up as he works his way back from inflammation in his left knee.
• In seven career appearances (six starts) against Toronto, Rodriguez is 1-3 with a 6.15 ERA. He faced the Blue Jays in his first start off the DL on July 17, going 5 1/3 innings and allowing three runs on six hits in a no-decision.
• Jose Bautista's 42 career home runs against the Red Sox are the most among active players. His 101 RBIs are third most among active players, behind only Evan Longoria (102) and Robinson Cano (116).
LETS GO BLUE JAYS *CLAP, CLAP* *CLAP, CLAP, CLAP*
LETS GO BLUE JAYS *CLAP, CLAP* *CLAP, CLAP, CLAP*
LETS GO BLUE JAYS *CLAP, CLAP* *CLAP, CLAP, CLAP*
Hey Bosuxxxx...
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/a/img911/724/K02O1z.gif
Anyone got an Apple Watch???