MLB Odds: Red Sox look to beat up Blue Jays

Jon Lester’s last two starts have each halted two-game Boston skids.

The Boston Red Sox look to continue their dominance over the Toronto Blue Jays as they begin a weekend series Friday night at Fenway Park.

The Red Sox are 9-3 against Toronto this year (2-1 at home). The Blue Jays are the only AL East opponent they’re over .500 against. The Rays (4-8), Yankees (5-7) and lowly Orioles (6-6) are the other division teams.

Boston (69-52) took two of three against Toronto north of the border last week. A sweep was blown on Thursday after the Blue Jays rallied for four runs in the ninth inning for a 6-5 win. Closer Jonathan Papelbon allowed three of the runs for his sixth blown save.

The Red Sox opened their nine-game homestand by going 2-0 against the Los Angeles Angels. The Thursday night result is still pending. They’re a remarkable 9-0 against the Angels this season. Boston is 5 ½-games back in both the AL East and wild-card race.

The Blue Jays (63-57) are in the midst of a grueling nine-game road trip. They had to fly all the way to the West Coast to play the Angels and A’s (going 3-3). They now have to travel 3000 miles back across the country.

Toronto at least had Thursday off and is 4-1 in its last five games following an off day. The team’s playoff hopes are pretty much shot, but it’s still fighting hard at 19-12 in the second half.

Brett Cecil will be the Toronto starter. He’s 9-6 with a 3.96 ERA after starting the season in Triple-A. He got hammered in his last start at the Angels, three homers and seven earned runs over 5 2/3 innings.

Cecil’s velocity was down against L.A., which was at least partially due to a knee injury. The 24-year-old lefty had six straight quality starts before that (2.05 ERA). Toronto is 5-0 in his last five starts against the AL East. The MLB odds ‘under’ is 6-0 in his last six division starts.

This is Cecil’s second start against the Red Sox this year. He allowed one earned run in six innings at home on April 28. He got crushed in his only career start at Fenway last May as a rookie (eight earned over 4 2/3 innings).

Jon Lester (13-7, 2.80 ERA) gets the call for Boston. He’s been keeping the team afloat along with Clay Buchholz (14-5, 2.36 ERA). The problem is high-priced starters Josh Beckett, John Lackey and Daisuke Matsuzaka are terribly inconsistent.

The 26-year-old Lester has been masterful in his last two starts at the Yankees and Rangers. He allowed no earned runs over 14 1/3 innings and stopped a two-game losing streak each time.

Lester is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA against the Blue Jays this year. He’s 6-3 with a 2.47 ERA lifetime against them. The Red Sox are 5-1 in his last six starts against Toronto.

Second baseman Dustin Pedroia (foot) returned a couple of games ago and is 1-of-7 from the plate. Boston is still playing shorthanded with Kevin Youkilis (thumb) and Jacoby Ellsbury (ribs) both likely out for the season. Toronto doesn’t have any significant injuries.

First pitch on Friday is 4:10 p.m. (PT). Weather should be clear and in the upper 70s.