Toronto @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( May 11, 2013 ) Toronto 3, Boston 2

Boston Red Sox right-hander Ryan Dempster has been a major part of the club's resurgence, even if his record doesn't show it. Dempster gets another crack at a wounded Toronto roster Sunday afternoon as the Red Sox wrap up their weekend series with the visiting Blue Jays. The Red Sox opened the three-game set with a convincing 5-0 victory Friday night, but surrendered a ninth-inning home run to Adam Lind en route to a 3-2 defeat Saturday.

With Brandon Morrow unable to make his scheduled start due to back and neck soreness, Chad Jenkins makes his first appearance of the season for Toronto. The 2009 first-round pick takes the hill against a Boston lineup that squandered numerous chances in Saturday's defeat, going hitless in 11 at-bats with runners in scoring position. Strikeouts may be plentiful, with both teams' lineups ranked among the league leaders in whiffs.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Chad Jenkins (2012: 1-3, 4.50 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Ryan Dempster (2-3, 2.93)

Jenkins was summoned from the Blue Jays' Double-A affiliate in New Hampshire, where he allowed two runs on three hits over five innings in his lone start of the season. The 25-year-old faced the Red Sox back on Sept. 14, surrendering two runs on two hits and a walk over 1 1/3 innings. Daniel Nava had the key hit during Jenkins' outing, belting a two-run single in the 8-5 Boston win. Toronto lost 12 of the 13 games in which Jenkins appeared a season ago.

Dempster made a triumphant return to his native Canada 10 days ago, scattering four hits over six innings of one-run ball in his second straight win. He followed that up with a so-so outing against Minnesota, charged with four runs - two earned - over seven innings in a 6-1 loss. Dempster's adjustment to the American League East has been swift: Opposing batters are hitting just .188, and he has allowed more than three earned runs just once in seven starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dempster has a 4.12 ERA in 19 2/3 career innings against the Blue Jays.

2. Morrow is expected to take his next turn Wednesday against the visiting San Francisco Giants.

3. Boston has a 5-3 edge in the head-to-head series.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Blue Jays 2