LESTER AND RED SOX GO FOR FIRST SWEEP OF THE SEASON

Coming off his last start where it took him 118 pitches to make it through 4 2/3 innings, Jon Lester is looking to be the third Red Sox pitcher in a row to bounce back against the Toronto Blue Jays.

In the past, Lester has pitched pretty well against the Blue Jays.  Over the last 3 seasons, he has made 15 starts against Toronto and has an ERA of 3.65.  On average he has made it through 6+ inning and had 6 strikeouts per game.  Two of his 4 complete games have come against the Blue Jays.  So, like Buchholz, Lester has a pretty good opportunity to get back on track by facing a team he has had a lot of success against. 

R.A. Dickey will be pitching for the Blue Jays today.  Don't expect him to blow any pitches by people because his high velocity for this season is 81 mph.  Of course, Dickey is a knuckleball pitcher and relies on surprise and not speed to get batters out.  After watching Tim Wakefield pitch all those years for the Red Sox, we all know how easily things can fall apart or turn around when you have a knuckleballer on the mound.  After going to their bullpen early yesterday, I'm sure the Blue Jays are hoping Dickey can give them at least 6 innings. 

Red Sox players who have fared well against Dickey in the past are Pierzynski, Middlebrooks, Ortiz and Bradley Jr..  Pierzynski will be the designated hitter today as Ortiz is getting the day off.  A.J. is 5 for 12 against Dickey with 1 double and 1 hr.  Middlebrooks is 3 for 6 with all of his hits being of the extra base variety (1 double and 2 homeruns).  Bradley Jr. also has a homerun against Dickey. 

This will be the 4th time Lester has thrown to Ross this season.  I'd expect Ross to continue to be Lester's personal catcher since pitching to Pierzynski hasn't really worked well for him. 

Red Sox Lineup

1. Pedroia, 2B
2. Sizemore, LF
3. Napoli, 1B
4. Pierzynski, DH
5. Middlebrooks, 3B
6. Gomes, RF
7. Bogaerts, SS
8. Bradley Jr., CF
9. Ross, C