Toronto @ Boston preview
Fenway Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 7, 2012 ) Toronto 7, Boston 5
J.A. Happ became the Toronto Blue Jays' fourth starting pitcher to see his season come to a premature end with a major injury. The left-hander, who was slated to start Saturday's contest, had an MRI exam and a CAT scan that showed a fractured right foot after initial X-rays were negative. Fellow southpaw Aaron Laffey will get the nod as visiting Toronto and Boston will square off in a battle to see which struggling club escapes the American League East basement.
Edwin Encarnacion belted his 38th homer and Moises Sierra and Colby Rasmus launched two-run shots as the Blue Jays recorded a 7-5 triumph on Friday. Toronto has won two in a row following a four-game skid while bumbling Boston has dropped nine of its last 10. Mauro Gomez celebrated his birthday with a homer - becoming the first Red Sox rookie to do so since Jacoby Ellsbury on Sept. 11, 2007.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Aaron Laffey (3-5, 4.46 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-4, 6.15)
Laffey will attempt to snap a three-game skid when he takes the mound for the spot start on Saturday. The 27-year-old was brilliant in his last outing versus the Red Sox, scattering eight hits over seven scoreless innings in a 6-1 win on July 20. Laffey has struggled with his control by walking eight in his last three appearances (11 2/3 innings).
After pitching well in his return, Matsuzaka was shelled for six runs and walked four in 3 1/2 innings in a 6-2 loss to Oakland on Sunday. The Japan native has enjoyed considerable success versus the Blue Jays, winning seven of eight career decisions while registering an impressive 1.06 WHIP. Matsuzaka allowed one run on six hits in 5 2/3 innings against Toronto in a no-decision on July 26.
WALK-OFFS
1. Toronto C J.P. Arencibia (hand) and 3B Brett Lawrie (ribs) returned from the disabled list in Friday's series opener. While Arencibia was hitless in four at-bats, Lawrie had a base hit and scored twice in the victory.
2. Boston slugger David Ortiz likely saw his season come to an end after he strained his right Achilles back in July. Manager Bobby Valentine admitted to having a conversation circling around the topic with general manager Ben Cherington, but noted the move is not official.
3. While neither team is bragging about its respective 2012 campaign, Toronto has won eight of the 13 meetings - including four straight at Fenway Park.