Red Sox look for revenge against Blue Jays

BigBig
Posted by Pete Wells on 08.21.2008

Last weekend, the Toronto Blue Jays went to Fenway Park and dominated the Boston Red Sox in a shortened two-game series over their American League East rivals. The Blue Jays will try to loosen Boston's hold on the wild-card spot when the two kick off a three-game set at Rogers Center on Friday night.

 
Boston Red Sox at Toronto Blue Jays – 7:07 PM ET

Paul Byrd (7-11, 4.55) made his debut for the Red Sox after being acquired from Cleveland, and he allowed four runs on ten hits over 7 1/3 innings to take the loss as Boston fell 4-1 at home to the Blue Jays. Ironically, Byrd's last start with the Indians was also against the Blue Jays, and he pitched a complete game to lead Cleveland to a 4-2 win in Toronto, so he is very familiar with the Jays' lineup. Byrd was picked up when Tim Wakefield went on the disabled list, and the 37-year-old righthander has a good postseason record, which will come in handy down the stretch.

 

Shaun Marcum (8-5, 3.36) won his third straight decision in a 15-4 rout of the Red Sox, giving up a run on five hits over five innings, although he did walk four batters along with four strikeouts. The 26-year-righthander is settling down after missing a month via injury, but he is still struggling with the long ball as he gave up a homer for the seventh straight outing, and is on pace to challenge his career high of 27, set last year. Marcum has won both of his starts against the Red Sox in 2008, posting an ERA of 3.00.

 

Entering this series opener, the Blue Jays had taken six of eight from the Red Sox this year, which could bode well if Toronto manages to pull even with Boston in the wild-card race. Marcum has had the Red Sox's number this year, but the defending World Series champions have been known to take their play up a notch as the postseason approaches.

 

For more props and odds, visit BetOnline.com. BetOnline.com is a top rated online sportsbook providing reliable sports betting to millions of online betting customers. BetOnline.com also offers MLB football betting, live MLB betting lines, props and futures.


     Tags:

shaun marcum | paul byrd

MLB's Related Articles

  • 5 Burning Questions: New York Yankees

    5 Burning Questions: New York Yankees   1: Who will take the 5th spot in the starting rotation? A battle between RHP Phil Hughes and R

    more
  • American League Central Baseball Betting

    The AL Central Division was anything but kind to baseball betting enthusiasts last year…unless they went against those five teams with regularity. In fact, none of the AL Central quintet had

    more
  • 5 Burning Questions: Tampa Bay Rays

    5 Burning Questions: Tampa Bay Rays 1: Will the addition of closer Rafael Soriano help bring stability to an inconsistent bullpen? From about the halfway point of the 2008 s

    more
  • 5 Burning Questions: Chicago White Sox

    5 Burning Questions: Chicago White Sox   1: How will CF Alex Rios perform in 2010? When the White Sox claimed the Alex Rios off of waivers in August of 2009, they

    more

Latest MLB Forum Entries

Join our Community
  • Banner -<a href='http://sports.bodoglife.com/welcome/1345673/'>Online Sports Betting</a>at Bodog Sportsbook
  • Sports Betting at Sportsbook.com
  •  
  • 5 Burning Questions: Seattle Mariners

    5 Burning Questions: Seattle Mariners   1: Where will the runs come from? Despite all of the strides the Mariners made in 2009, they actually regressed offensively. Af

    more
More articles
  • MLB Team Contests

    The 5th annual team baseball contests have been announced. A $50 buy-in. You get two teams, two chances! 100% of the entry fee go to the prize pool plus Bet Jamaica will add some funds (15-20%

    more
More contests