Boston @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 7, 2018 ) Boston 10, Toronto 7

The Boston Red Sox appeared to leave their offense at home when they sputtered through the first seven innings of the opener of their nine-game road trip against the Toronto Blue Jays (51-61). A four-run eighth inning and a five-run 10th ensued for the majors-best Red Sox (80-34), who vie for their sixth win in a row and 25th in 30 outings on Wednesday when they play the second contest of their series at Rogers Centre.

J.D. Martinez and Mitch Moreland each belted a three-run homer to highlight the late uprising in Tuesday's 10-7 triumph for Boston, which has defeated Toronto in 11 of 14 encounters this season. Martinez has two homers, eight RBIs and five runs scored during his six-game hitting streak and has 17 hits -- including six homers -- to go along with 17 RBIs and 10 runs scored versus the Blue Jays this season. Devon Travis launched a two-run shot in the series opener to improve to 8-for-22 with nine RBIs during his five-game hitting streak for Toronto, which has dropped nine of its last 14 overall. Travis is 12-for-38 with two homers against Boston this season.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Brian Johnson (2-3, 3.74 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Mike Hauschild (1-0, 0.00)

Johnson will receive his second start in the wake of Chris Sale's trip to the disabled list due to inflammation in his shoulder. The 27-year-old Johnson overcame three homers and five runs total in five innings on Thursday to pick up the win in a 15-7 triumph versus the New York Yankees. Johnson owns a 2-0 mark with a 3.94 ERA in three career starts at Toronto, although he took the loss in relief after yielding two runs without retiring a batter in a 5-3 setback in Boston on May 11.

Hauschild authored a gem in his first game in the majors in more than 15 months on Thursday, scattering four hits and striking out five in six scoreless innings of a 7-3 win at Seattle. "It's pretty crazy. It kind of feels like a dream," said Hauschild, who last pitched in the majors on April 19, 2017. Hauschild will be making his sixth career appearance and first start on Wednesday.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston 3B Rafael Devers (hamstring) is expected to be activated off the disabled list Wednesday.

2. Toronto CF Kevin Pillar has 12 hits -- including seven for extra-bases (six doubles, one homer) -- and eight RBIs against the Red Sox this season.

3. Sale is slated to come off the disabled list on Sunday and start in the series finale against Baltimore.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Blue Jays 3