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.

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.

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