Boston @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 11, 2010 ) Boston 10, Toronto 1

John Lackey was at his most charitable the last time he faced the Toronto Blue Jays.

Lackey will look to rebound from a horrid outing against Toronto as he leads the Boston Red Sox into the finale of their three-game series against the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. Boston eked out a 7-5 victory in Monday's series opener, then trounced Toronto 10-1 a night later.

The Red Sox improved to 9-2 against the Blue Jays this season, a big reason why they have remained in the hunt atop the American League East Standings. Boston enters Thursday's action five games back of the division-leading New York Yankees and 3 1/2 games behind Tampa Bay in the wild card race.

Lackey was responsible for one of Boston's losses to Toronto this year, and it was as ugly as it gets. The 31-year-old was torched for eight runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings while issuing a season-high six walks in the 9-5 loss back on July 10.

It was his shortest outing in nearly three months, and was the second-most runs he had allowed all season.

Lackey will also be looking to put the brakes on a personal two-game losing skid. He was charged with five runs over six innings his last time out as the Red Sox dropped a 5-2 decision to the Yankees. Lackey has just one win in his last seven starts dating back to June 29.

He may not have to be at his best Thursday, backed by a Red Sox lineup that has bested the Blue Jays at their own game. Boston came into the series a distant second to Toronto in the major-league home run race, but has hit six of the nine long balls in the series, including four in Wednesday's one-sided victory.

Bill Hall was the hero, belting a pair of homers and finishing with four RBIs. J.D. Drew and Adrian Beltre also went deep against Shaun Marcum, who came into the game with a 5-2 career record against Boston but was torched for eight runs in just four innings Wednesday.

Toronto counters with second-year left-hander Brad Mills (1-0), who failed to build off the momentum of his first start of the season. Coming off seven innings of two-hit shutout ball in his first career major-league win July 28, Mills allowed five runs in just four innings against Tampa Bay 10 days later. The Jays went on to win 17-11.

The 25-year-old has made strides since posting an ERA over 14 in two starts last season. He has yet to allow a home run in 11 innings so far in 2010 after getting lit up for four home runs in just 7 2/3 innings a year ago. He is also limiting opposing hitters to a .189 average, though he has issued seven walks.

Both teams will be on the road following Thursday's game. The Red Sox continue their 10-game swing against the Texas Rangers, while the Blue Jays begin a West Coast trip against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.