The roaring Red Sox (79-34), owners of a 9-game AL East and the best record in baseball, head north of the border to visit the fading Blue Jays (51-60) tonight in Toronto (7:07 p.m., NESN). Read Matt’s series preview here.
About tonight's game: If it seems only fair that the Red Sox start Drew Pomeranz (1-5, 6.56 ERA), their worst starter of the season, then you lack the appropriate FORTITUDE to lead the Sox to victory. No mercy! Pomeranz be faced by Marcus Stroman (4-8, 5.63 ERA), another talented pitcher having a nightmare season, though one that’s bound to get better with some good luck.
Not much to report, lineup-wise, except that Steve Pearce is out of the lineup in favor of Mitch Moreland. Jackie Bradley Jr. is batting sixth.
About Sunday’s game: A miracle on this Earth.
Forecast: I’m no meteorologist, and it’s going to be 78 in Toronto (26, if you prefer) so maybe they keep the dome open, but maybe they don’t. They're playing, is the point.
Today’s reading: Cody Rivera undergoes a rite of passage: Writing about the game before it is over, and watching it turn on its head, rendering your words foul and bad and forcing you start from scratch.
A good tweet:
This Red Sox team is special, they're proving it on the field, so regardless of what people say, enjoy the hell out of it. Teams like this doesn't come along often, or ever, so don't worry about the post-season now. Look at the standings! Smile! Jump! Cheer! This is fun!
— Matthew Kory (@mattymatty2000) August 6, 2018
LINEUPS
Game 114 at Blue Jays
Lineup Spot | Red Sox | Blue Jays |
---|---|---|
Lineup Spot | Red Sox | Blue Jays |
1 | Mookie Betts, RF | Randal Grichuk, RF |
2 | Andrew Benintendi, LF | Devon Travis, 2B |
3 | Mitch Moreland, 1B | Justin Smoak, 1B |
4 | J.D. Martinez, DH | Teoscar Hernández, LF |
5 | Xander Bogaerts, SS | Kendrys Morales, DH |
6 | Jackie Bradley Jr., CF | Yangervis Solarte, 3B |
7 | Eduardo Núñez, 3B | Aledmys Díaz, SS |
8 | Brock Holt, 2B | Kevin Pillar, CF |
9 | Sandy León, C | Luke Maile, C |
SP | Drew Pomeranz, LHP | Marcus Stroman, RHP |