J.A. Happ (17-4, 3.34 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (77-63) meet Eduardo Rodriguez (2-6, 4.83 ERA) and the Boston Red Sox (79-61) in the second of a three-game division series at the Rogers Centre. The Red Sox won the last game 13-3, and Boston leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 1:07 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sep. 10 and will air on FOX.
In his last start, Happ pitched 2.2 innings, allowing three runs, striking out two and walking two in a 5-3 victory over the Rays. Edwin Encarnacion (.267, 87 Rs, 37 HRs, 112 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. The Red Sox were unsuccessful against the Athletics 1-0 the last time Rodriguez pitched. He went 8.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out five and walking two. David Ortiz (.317, 67 Rs, 31 HRs, 107 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Red Sox, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run.
Notes
The Red Sox won their last game by a 10-run margin. In games decided by a margin of 10 runs or more, the Blue Jays are 4-4. The Red Sox are 7-1 in blowouts this season.
Toronto has won 49% (31-32) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Boston has won 58% (38-27) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Red Sox are coming into this meeting after a high-scoring game where they scored an impressive 13 runs. The Blue Jays have a 0-3 record when opponents score that many runs or more.
When they are outhit, the Blue Jays are 9-48. The Red Sox have an 8-37 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 11th in home runs, Boston has hit 180 this season. Toronto ranks third with 198 home runs.
Ranking sixth, Boston is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 475 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five at third with 526.
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 66-41 record.
