Toronto @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 24, 2014 ) Boston 0, Toronto 8

The Toronto Blue Jays look to take advantage of the sinking Boston Red Sox for the second time in a week as they open a three-game series in Boston on Monday. Toronto took three of four at home against the Red Sox to begin last week before winning two of three at the New York Yankees over the weekend, pulling to within three games of first-place Baltimore in the American League East. Overall, the Blue Jays have won seven of nine following a 2-9 stretch.

After dropping the final three games in Toronto, Boston lost two of three at Tampa Bay to extend its misery. The defending world champs scored 14 runs over the final six games of their road trip after producing 14 in the opener of the trek. The Blue Jays swept three straight by a combined score of 20-10 in their last visit to Boston in May.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, SNET (Toronto), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH R.A. Dickey (8-10, 4.04 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Clay Buchholz (5-6, 5.50)

Dickey got the win after allowing four runs and nine hits in six innings against Boston on Wednesday, just the second victory in his last eight decisions. The knuckleballer has worked at least six innings in eight consecutive starts while striking out at least five in each of his last seven outings. Dickey also let up a run in 6 1/3 solid innings to defeat the Red Sox at home on April 27 but he is 0-1 with a 6.91 ERA in five career games (one start) at Fenway Park.

Buchholz had seemingly turned a corner after a rocky, injury-marred start to his season, but has been more pedestrian in his last two starts. He has given up eight earned runs on 16 hits and four walks over 12 innings in those outings, including six frames opposite Dickey last week. The 29-year-old has a 6.32 ERA in seven home starts, allowing 52 hits in 37 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox DH David Ortiz had five home runs and 12 RBIs on his team's seven-game road trip.

2. Blue Jays 1B/3B Juan Francisco went 5-for-12 with two homers, a triple and five RBIs in his last three games.

3. Boston is 18-27 against the AL East and .500 against all other opponents.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 5, Red Sox 4