Toronto @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 27, 2012 ) Toronto 4, Boston 10

Injuries often decide a team's fate - and in the case of the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, they have directly impacted the American League East standings. A suddenly healthier Red Sox club looks to continue its surge above .500 as it entertains the banged-up Blue Jays on Friday in the opener of a three-game set. The Red Sox have seen several key players return of late, while Toronto is still dealing with a patchwork starting rotation and an injury to its superstar slugger.

Boston welcomes Toronto to town after taking three of four from the visiting Chicago White Sox, capped by a dramatic 3-1 victory Thursday night. Cody Ross hit a walk-off three-run homer for the Red Sox, who saw second baseman Dustin Pedroia return to the lineup after missing two weeks with a jammed right thumb. The Blue Jays are coming off a sweep at the hands of the division-leading New York Yankees, leaving Toronto two games below .500 as it embarks on the second half of its six-game road trip.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), RSN (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Aaron Laffey (1-1, 3.38 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Josh Beckett (5-7, 4.44 ERA)

Laffey wasn't sharp last time out, but he didn't have to be - allowing four runs over five innings in an 11-9 triumph over his former team, the Cleveland Indians. It was the first win of the campaign for the veteran southpaw, summoned to the minors after a rash of injuries struck the Toronto rotation. Laffey's best start of the season came against the Red Sox, as he limited them to three hits over six scoreless innings back on June 26. He's 0-1 with one save and a 5.94 ERA in seven appearances against them, including two starts.

Beckett finally returned to the win column in his previous outing, holding Tampa Bay to three runs over seven innings for his first victory since May 20. The 32-year-old certainly won't fret over facing a Jays lineup that will be without right fielder Jose Bautista, who is on the disabled list with left wrist inflammation. Toronto has been one of Beckett's toughest opponents, saddling him with a 4-6 record and an eye-popping 6.30 ERA in 16 career starts. Beckett has just two wins in eight home starts so far in 2012.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Blue Jays and Red Sox own the worst intra-division records in the East. Toronto is just 12-19 against the rest of the division, while Boston is 16-20 versus East foes.

2. Toronto 3B Brett Lawrie is expected to return to the lineup but may be limited after suffering a bruised calf in Wednesday's loss to the New York Yankees.

3. The current Blue Jays roster is hitting a collective .279 against Beckett, with 1B Adam Lind (.421, one home run, four RBIs) doing the most damage.