Boston @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 30, 2013 ) Toronto 4, Boston 5

In a division full of above-.500 teams, the Boston Red Sox get the luxury of facing the one club below the break-even mark. Visiting Boston looks to remain atop the American League East as it opens a three-game series with the cellar-dwelling Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. The Red Sox hope to bounce back after dropping three of four in Kansas City; the Blue Jays also are in a tailspin, having lost three of four to visiting Oakland.

Boston enters the week with a three-game lead over Tampa Bay, benefiting greatly from the Rays' five-game losing streak. Hard-throwing right-hander Ryan Dempster gets the start in Tuesday's series opener, facing the Blue Jays for the fourth time already this season. He'll be opposed by Todd Redmond, who is looking for his first victory in more than a month.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Ryan Dempster (6-8, 4.67 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Todd Redmond (1-1, 4.22)

Dempster's lone 2013 visit to his native Canada was a good one, as he limited the Blue Jays to a run on four hits over six effective innings. The 36-year-old has struggled mightily in August, surrendering 12 runs over 12 frames in consecutive no-decisions against Seattle and Houston. "I threw a lot of good, quality pitches," he said following Boston's 7-5 win over the Astros. "That's probably the best I've felt in a while. Unfortunately, I did not have much to show for it."

Redmond has averaged better than a strikeout per inning in each of his last four starts but hasn't lasted long enough to earn a win. The 28-year-old worked just 3 2/3 frames in his last outing - surrendering three runs on seven hits to the Los Angeles Angels - and has made it through six just once all season. Redmond has been particularly stingy at the Rogers Centre, going 1-0 with a 2.75 ERA and 22 strikeouts over 19 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Red Sox lead the season series 8-5.

2. Members of the Blue Jays roster are hitting just .226 in 146 at-bats against Dempster.

3. Redmond is starting in place of RHP Josh Johnson, who is dealing with arm soreness.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 7, Blue Jays 4