Rick Porcello (19-3, 3.23 ERA), looking for his 20th win, starts for the Boston Red Sox (78-61) as they square off against Marco Estrada (8-7, 3.56 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (77-62) in the first of a three-game series at the Rogers Centre. Action begins at 7:07 p.m. ET on Friday, Sep. 9 and can be seen on NESN and RSN.
Estrada pitched 5.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering five runs, striking out six and walking two in a 7-5 defeat to the Rays. Porcello went 7.0 innings, surrendering two runs and striking out two in an 11-2 win over the Athletics in his last outing. Mookie Betts (.316, 104 Rs, 30 HRs, 100 RBIs, 21 SBs) went 1 for 5 Wednesday.
Notes
Toronto has won 50% (31-31) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Boston has won 58% (37-27) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Red Sox are coming into this game after allowing no walks during their last outing. The Blue Jays have a 2-3 record when opponents don’t give up any walks.
When they are outhit, the Blue Jays are 9-47. The Red Sox have an 8-37 record when opponents outhit them.
Boston ranks in the top half of the league at 11th when it comes to home runs, hitting 178 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five with 198.
Ranking sixth, Boston is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 471 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five at third with 525.
The Blue Jays are 69-35 when they hit at least one home run. The Red Sox perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 65-41 record.
