Toronto @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 26, 2012 ) Toronto 1, Boston 5

With their starting pitching staff beseiged by a wave of injuries, perhaps the only positive for the Toronto Blue Jays is that ace left-hander Ricky Romero is the last man standing. The Blue Jays could use a big effort from Romero when they face the Boston Red Sox in the rubber game Wednesday at Fenway Park. Toronto got a great performance from Aaron Laffey on Tuesday night, only to see the bullpen collapse and drop the Blue Jays into the cellar of the American League East.

Boston, which moved one game ahead of Toronto and trails the division-leading New York Yankees by 6 1/2 games, is trying to survive its own spate of injuries. Winners of 10 of 13, the Red Sox can move a season-high five games above .500 with a victory in the series finale. Lefty Jon Lester will match up with Romero for the second time this season. Romero limited the Red Sox to one run on three hits in a season-high 8 1/3 innings on April 11.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet (Toronto), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Ricky Romero (8-1, 4.34 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Jon Lester (4-5, 4.48 ERA)

Romero has not pitched as well as his record indicates, even though he's unbeaten (3-0) in his last starts. He has allowed at least four runs in six consecutive starts and continues to be plagued by the long ball, surrendering seven home runs in his last five starts. During his unbeaten stretch, the Blue Jays have piled up 65 runs - an average of just over nine per game. Romero is 5-6 with a 6.45 ERA in 14 starts vs. Boston.

Lester's record reflects his performances. He has only one win in his last six starts and has allowed fewer than three runs just three times in 15 outings. He continues to struggle at home, winning just once in his last five outings, and is 1-3 in eight starts at Fenway Park. He has 34 strikeouts against only five walks in his last five starts but hasn't gone past seven innings. Lester is 10-5 with a 3.08 ERA against Toronto.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox RHP Josh Beckett will come off the 15-day disabled list to start Saturday's game in Seattle.

2. Blue Jays top catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud will miss six to eight weeks after tearing the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee at Triple-A Las Vegas.

3. Jose Bautista, tied for the major league lead in home runs, is batting .190 (8-for-42) with three homers and 11 strikeouts vs. Lester.