Boston @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 14, 2013 ) Boston 3, Toronto 4

Mark Buehrle has been a different pitcher since the All-Star break and that's welcome news to a Toronto Blue Jays club in desperate need of quality starting pitching. Buehrle looks to continue his second-half success Thursday evening as the host Blue Jays wrap up a three-game series with the Boston Red Sox. The visitors prevailed 4-2 in 11 innings in the opener, but Toronto bounced back with a 4-3, 10-inning triumph Wednesday night.

With Josh Johnson and Brandon Morrow out with forearm injuries, the Toronto rotation remains undermanned while the overworked bullpen ranks first in the majors in innings pitched. That puts more pressure on the offense, which will square off against trade deadline acquisition Jake Peavy in the rubber match. Peavy has had one good start and one not-so-good outing since joining the Red Sox in a deal with the Chicago White Sox.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), RSN (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Jake Peavy (9-4, 4.50 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Mark Buehrle (8-7, 4.43)

Peavy tossed a seven-inning gem in his Boston debut Aug. 3 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but was tagged for six runs over five-plus innings en route to a no-decision against Kansas City last time out. "You've got to win games when your offense scores six," Peavy told reporters afterward. "I didn't feel good stuff-wise or control-wise." Peavy has won three straight decisions, and is 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA in five career starts versus Toronto.

A prolonged stretch against the American League West has helped put Buehrle back on track following a difficult start to the season. The 34-year-old has won three of four decisions against AL West opponents over the past three weeks, including a 5-4 victory over Oakland last time out. Buehrle is 6-9 with a 4.63 ERA in 22 career appearances against the Red Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Peavy is 3-4 with a 6.65 ERA in eight road starts in 2013.

2. Red Sox 1B/DH David Ortiz is hitting .358 with three homers and 13 RBIs in 67 at-bats against Buehrle.

3. Boston leads the season series 9-6.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Blue Jays 4