Toronto @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 28, 2013 ) Toronto 5, Boston 7

The strong starting pitching that was the catalyst for the Toronto Blue Jays' 11-game winning streak earlier this month has failed them at Fenway Park. Esmil Rogers will look to reverse that recent trend as he leads the Blue Jays into the third contest of a four-game weekend series against the host Boston Red Sox on Saturday. Boston has registered back-to-back wins against Toronto, chasing the Blue Jays' starters early in both games.

With Toronto starters recording just 15 combined outs in the first two games of the series, Rogers is being counted upon to provide some much-needed quality innings. He'll be opposed by left-hander Felix Doubront, who hasn't won in nearly a month but has been one of Boston's most consistent starters since the beginning of May. The Red Sox have won seven of the 11 meetings between the teams in 2013.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Esmil Rogers (3-3, 3.46 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Felix Doubront (4-3, 4.33)

Rogers' conversion from the bullpen to the rotation hit a snag last time out, as he was touched for three home runs over six innings in a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. The 27-year-old Dominican had allowed just three homers over his first 48 2/3 innings this season. Rogers hasn't had much success against the Red Sox in his career, surrendering six runs and four walks over four innings.

While Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester and John Lackey have earned most of the laurels for Boston's strong pitching, Doubront belongs in the conversation. The 25-year-old Venezuelan has allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his last eight starts, though he is just 1-2 over that span. Doubront is 2-2 with a 5.40 ERA in 31 2/3 innings against Toronto, and has allowed more home runs to the Blue Jays (eight) than to any other team.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blue Jays OF Jose Bautista is just 2-for-12 lifetime against Doubront, but both hits are home runs.

2. Rogers has a 2.67 ERA in five starts after posting a 4.23 mark in 23 relief appearances.

3. Toronto 1B Edwin Encarnacion has 23 home runs, equaling his pre-All-Star Game total from a season ago.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Blue Jays 4