Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury Lead the Way as Red Sox Vie for Series Sweep Against Blue Jays

by abournenesn

Sep 16, 2012

Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury Lead the Way as Red Sox Vie for Series Sweep Against Blue JaysAfter several weeks in which the Red Sox didn't have many chances to taste the win column, they'll get to swing in the opposite direction Sunday, with a series sweep against the Toronto Blue Jays within reach.

The Red Sox have long lost the opportunity to play for a title, the playoffs or a winning season, but they can regain a certain measure of pride by showing their American League East counterparts who's better in the division. With a win Sunday, the Sox can record their first sweep since June, their first road sweep since April and put distance between themselves and the Jays for the No. 4 spot in the AL East.

While Jon Lester (9-11, 4.99 ERA) looks to continue his rebound for Boston, Brandon Morrow (8-6, 3.16) will take the ball for Toronto. Morrow hasn't faced the Red Sox this year, but he's 1-3 with a 9.53 ERA over 39 2/3 innings pitched against them in his career.

Several Boston hitters have good numbers against Morrow, including Dustin Pedroia (9-for-17) and Jacoby Ellsbury (8-for-16).

Lester, meanwhile, has been strong against this Toronto lineup, with Yunel Escobar (7-for-23) the only batter with more than five hits and better than a .300 average against Lester of those who have seen him more than a dozen times.

Here are the lineups for the Red Sox and Blue Jays for Sunday:

Red Sox (66-80)

Scott Podsednik, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Cody Ross, RF
James Loney, 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, DH
Ryan Lavarnway, C
Pedro Ciriaco, 3B
Jose Iglesias, SS

Jon Lester, P

Blue Jays (65-79)

Brett Lawrie, 3B
Colby Rasmus, CF
J.P. Arencibia, C
Adam Lind, 1B
Moises Sierra, RF
Yan Gomes, DH
Omar Vizquel, 2B
Adeiny Hechavarria, SS
Anthony Gose, LF

Brandon Morrow, P

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