Sox v Jays Preview

Right now, it ain't looking like this game will be played tonight... but incase it does, here's the scoop:

Jon Lester will start tonight, giving Matsuzaka one more day to get over the flu. Last time he filled in for Matsuzaka (Wed, 4/23) he gave up 9 hits and 4 runs through 5 innings on short rest. He's given up 19 hits and 7 runs in his last two starts, but he's only walked four, indicating that his command may be coming around.

That said, he has not earned a decision in his last three starts and only has one win this season, posting a 1-2 record with a 5.40 ERA.

Facing the Blue Jays may be a good thing for Lester. The Jays have lost 6 of their last 7 games and only a handful of Blue Jays have faced the young lefty.

That's the good news. The bad news is the Sox will be facing Toronto's ace Roy Halladay. The grizzled veteran is 2-3 with a 3.73 ERA and 25 Ks so far this season, but this is what really impresses me: He's gone 7+ in every start this year and already has two complete games.

He's already faced the Red Sox once this season and earned his first W of the year giving up 4 runs and 8 hits, while fanning 6 over 8 innings. That was Josh Beckett's first start back off the DL and he handed the Jays 4 runs in the 5th when he ran out of gas... plenty for a veteran like Halladay to work with.

Halladay is 10-9 with a 4.45 ERA in 30 starts versus Boston and he's 4-6 with 4.96 ERA in Fenway. Weather permitting, the Sox should be able to get to Halladay and get back on track. JD drew is batting .438 against Halladay and David Ortiz is at .289 with 5 HRs and 20 RBI... Halladay's beats up lefties as well as righties but he seems to struggle against the lefties in Boston uniforms... The Match-up to Watch could be Jacoby Ellsbury, who is 4-6 with a triple and 2 homers versus Halladay.

Bottom Line: The conditions will not be ideal for getting this team back to their winning ways, but if the game gets played - they need a win.

Notes: Mike Lowell is expected to return to the line up today. He went 3 for 13 in 3 games with the Paw Sox during his rehab stint. “I don’t have any pain,” said Lowell, 6-for-30 with no homers or RBIs in nine games this season. “I’m looking forward to getting back.”

Despite his early struggles, three of Lowell’s hits have come against Toronto, and he has three homers in 24 at-bats against Halladay

Recently called up 1B/OF Brandon Moss and RHP Bryan Corey are both considered likely candidates to be sent back down to the minors to make room for Lowell.

The Blue Jays will have their veteran 3B fresh off the DL tonight as well. Scott Rolen, activated Friday from the disabled list after fracturing his right middle finger in spring training, was 4-for-11 with a homer, two doubles and four RBIs against the Royals.

He's got a .238 BA againt Boston but does have 3 homers - all at Fenway.

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