Game #151: Red Sox at Blue Jays pregame
Boston (90-61) at Toronto (75-75)
at 7:07 p.m. ET at the Rogers Centre
Today’s lineups:
RED SOX
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Lowell, 3B
J.D. Drew, RF
Eric Hinske, 1B
Jason Varirek, C
Brandon Moss, LF
Julio Lugo, SS
PITCHING: LHP Jon Lester (4-0, 4.86 ERA)
BLUE JAYS
Vernon Wells, CF
Reed Johnson, LF
Alex Rios, RF
Frank Thomas, DH
Aaron Hill, 2B
Matt Stairs, 1B
Gregg Zaun, C
Hector Luna, 3B
Ray Olmedo, SS
PITCHING: RHP A.J. Burnett (8-7, 3.42 ERA)
NOTES: Toronto manager John Gibbons said that LHP Scott Downs’ right foot felt a little better on Tuesday, but the reliever might not be available out of the bullpen. Downs is listed as day-to-day. … Closer B.J. Ryan threw from 45 feet in the outfield prior to Monday’s game. He’ll up the distance to 120 feet over the next month or so before backing off of his throwing program for roughly a month after that. All indications are that he’ll be ready to go by Spring Training. … Stairs was slated to appear in his 1,532nd game, moving the native of New Brunswick into sole possession of second place on the all-time games played list for Canadian-born ballplayers.
AL WILD CARD RACE
entering Tuesday
1. New York 86-64 (–)
2. Detroit 83-68 (3.5)
3. Seattle 79-70 (6.5)
4. Toronto 75-75 (11)
BREAKING EVEN…Toronto needs to post a 7-5 record over its final 12 games to finish the season above .500.
Major League Bastian 
You got to check this link out; It was posted on the Boston blog site. Apparently, the Sox have a ritual for rookies, which is they have to dress up in drag and travel that way to the city they play in. Apparently it was last night coming to Toronto. It is hilarious.
http://wbztv.com/video/?cid=37
gsumner,
Red Sox aren’t the only team that has there rookies dress in drag. Most teams if not all do it. It happens when the team is approaching there final road trip of the season.
A couple of years back a Cleveland Indians pitcher was dressed up as a U.S.C. cheerleader and the bus got shot at and the Indians pitcher got some bullett fragments in his leg. He went to a K.C. area hospital in this cheerleader’s outfit. Imagine being at that hospital and this guy comes in dressed up like a cheerleader. How funny would that be. I’m sure the Jays will be doing it very soon. A great tradition. I don’t know what team was the first to do so. I’m sure someone could find it in the computer.
Let the Sox win tonight. They need this game bad. Whenever it looks bad, it is never that bad.
Bosox
First time I heard of the tradition, I though it was hilarious.
Matsui back in 2003 was in a dress. Look that photo up, very funny for sure.
Last night they interview that hot chick Ashley whatever her last name was. Tonight T.J. Ford, one of the fastest point guards ever. He looks about 16.
If Fank Thomas can come back next year and hit like that at the start of the season what a weapon he will be.
bosox no way is Burnett going to help anybody out but himself so sorry,Look behind you here come the stinking yankees.
The Yankees are right there for sure.
Never thought it would get this close. Sox had there chance to put away the Yankees the other night and failed to do so. They have nobody to blame but themselves.
Sox have had some chances vs Burnett but they haven’t cashed in.
Lester is a pitchen fool tonight he will be hard to hit from now on tonight,
If Burnett dosn’t settel down he may get hurt.
I think Varitec is one of the best catchers in the game ,he is a godsen to young pitchers.
Just like I said.
NANCY-NANCY-NANCY.
Your favorite Blue Jays moment this year is ????????
How about a list Bosox.
1) Jessie Litsch’s debut.
2) McGowan’s near no-no
3) Big Hurt’s 500th
4) Doc’s 10 inning complete game win.
5) a game I was at – the Jays beat the White Sox (in Doc’s return from his appendectomy) 2-0. The first game in recorded MLB history in which a team won without having a baserunner. 2 solo HR’s were the Jays only hits. I think it was Hill and Thomas.
Yesterday whiner.
Bosox
we’re trying to let you win, look at the lineup we put out there tonight
Garry
Good list. I think that game against THe White Sox when we had no baserunners and won the game is my favorite.
Altohugh beating the Sox 6-1 last night was close. lol
Look at that lineup they put out all season.
Lester is pitching well. The kid is throwing strikes tonight for a change.
bosox sorry you should have told me about you and Nancy.
My favourite Jauys moment was when they lost to Tampa during the opening night for the Devil Rays….lol….
When was the last time Ortiz struck out 6 times in two games? Guess he doesnt like Burnett any more than McGowan
Yanks 7 Baltimore 0
I’d go on the Boston site, but it might already be bloody. lol
Robert
Sorry I mean to say your list. Im having difficulty here posting is anyone else?
Garry
Bosox luvs Nancy-they plan on going away together after the season-did he tell you?
Yes Robert that was a great list #5 was the best.
Oritz as I write this has the game winning hit. I guess he does like Burnett.
you didn’t answer the question, when was the last time you saw him stike out 6 times in two games. I can’t remember.
Bosox
So do we have a betfor next year or what?
What is the bet? You said if McGowan is healthy, none of this if stuff. Have faith in your guy if not don’t bother.
Hey bosox robertlee get your tongue.
How does robertlee have my tongue. I don’t understand.
Garry
No Nancy has it. lol lol
The battle of Canada…
Gagne vs Matt I want to go upstairs with that h.r. swing…
Of course health has to be part of it-particulary when Im spotting you 16 games.
The bet is if McGowan wins more than 16 you loose and if he wins less I loose. So what do you want to bet?
You say he wins more than 16 games. That is the risk of the bet. If he is that wonderful then go with it.
Who will win more next year?
McGowan or Dice-K.????
Unless I’m wrong you asked me sarcastically to name my favorite blue jay moment in your small mind there was none robertlee named 5 then you went all quiet lol.
A double wins for sure and maybe a single-with Hill on second.
McGowan
Bosox
Hey you’re the one that stated McGowan is nothing but average. An average pitcher doesnt win 16 games. Giving me healthy isnt much to ask-come on lets bet
Guess we dont have to get hits-just let Gagne walk them in-cool
Litsch over d-k.
Yes-way to go Adams
Why send Zaun????.
If he is as good as you say. Make the bet gsumner.
Come on now….
Francona was asleep….
I blame this loss on his shoulders, even though Gagne stinks!!!
I do not agree with leaving Burnett out there. hes already thrown 116 pitches. We have a fresh bullpen.
You’re chicken Bosox. If you really belive hes only a mediocre starter youd be very prepared to make the bet-Im spotting ya 16 games laddy
It’s not Francona-Gagne stinks
That stupid ******* Abner-I said Burnett should have been taken out
Abner the jerk wants to lose he has no fear of losing his job.
Francona and Gibbons are brothers.
Not the smartest guys those 2.
They have been hit in the head too many times.
Give those 2 a cat scan. Let’s see if the dust in there is gone!!!
We have a fresh bull pen and Abner leaves Burnett out there for 124 pitches-this is what got him injured the last time. And Lugo hits a HR.
And we have this idiot coming back next year-pathetic
Francona is a lot better than Abner. Abner belongs back in the hills managing a sand lot team-the guy keeps making the same mistakes over and over again. He’s probably cost us 5-10 games.
I bet Francona has never filled a lineup card wrong. Our genious Abner’s done that twice so far this year.
To all Blue Jays Fans
We need you all to make a donation to Bosox, so he can buy 100 cases of vaseline and distribute it to all the bloggers on the Red Sox site.
Trust me they need it.
Bosox, I’ll donate $5.00 to the campaign. lol
I’ll add to the Jays favourite moments this year:
Jays come back in the ninth against tampa bay. I believe it was 6 runs in that 9th inning (early july).
Mocdonald’s many highlight reel plays.
By the way if any of you care to speak to Gibbons he is taking calls as I type this
on the fan590
Question to you fine folks. If Gagne continues to struggle like this for the rest of the season, and is then in the off-season interested in coming to Toronto at a discounted price (due to poor play) would you take a chance on him ?
no no no no no on Gagne
The thing is with Boras (his agent) there’s no such thing as a discounted price.
Stairs playing in Canada great.
Gagne playing in Canada????;
Burnett pitched well tonight. Not surprised there.
Francona was asleep at the controls.
I never thought but the Jays go for the sweep tomm. night.
How will the Red Sox come out tomm night? Alive? Feeling sorry for themselves? They bounced back Friday after a tough loss but that was at home.
I hear Home Depot sold out of brooms today-wonder why?
nice crack sumner, i actually did get a chuckle.
enigma
Good, that was the intention
At least your team thinks it is important to win.
This garbage that the Red Sox are putting out is enough to make me sick. It has Theo written all over it. Theo has done a very good job over the last few years but this approach is just plain STUPID!!!
Bosox
I can’t believe the guys on your blog, including yourself. I think if you guys loose tonight I ashould call 911 and have ambulances ready for everybody. It’s hilarious.
Why has everyone forgotten, the one and only time you guys have won the series since the 1890’s (lol) had Francona as manager and you got into the playofss through the wild card.
Why the panic?
Hey how about a trade-Abner for Terry?