Toronto @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 12, 2018 ) Toronto 0, Boston 1

The Boston Red Sox reached the century mark in wins for the fourth time in franchise history due in large part to strong starting pitching and a rather fortunate bounce that allowed Rafael Devers to score the game's only run on a wild pitch. The Red Sox (100-46) aim to continue their mastery of the visiting Toronto Blue Jays (65-80) at Fenway Park on Thursday when they bid for the second sweep of their American League East rivals this year.

Mookie Betts had one of Boston's four hits in Wednesday's 1-0 triumph to improve to 22-for-61 with four homers, 11 RBIs and 17 runs scored versus Toronto this season. The Red Sox, who have won 10 of their last 14 overall to reduce their magic number to secure their third straight AL East title to seven, have emerged victorious in 14 of 18 encounters with the Blue Jays - including a three-game sweep from May 28-30. Yangervis Solarte had two of Toronto's four hits on Wednesday to improve to 3-for-4 in the series, albeit just 11-for-68 with 13 strikeouts against Boston this season. The 31-year-old Solarte aims to net the Blue Jays just their sixth win in 17 outings on Thursday, although he is just 1-for-8 versus Venezuelan countryman Eduardo Rodriguez - Boston's scheduled starter.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Sam Gaviglio (3-8, 5.25 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodriguez (12-4, 3.64)

Gaviglio fell to 1-5 in his past seven outings last Thursday after allowing five runs on six hits over 4 1/3 innings of a 9-4 setback versus Cleveland. The 28-year-old was taken deep twice by the Indians to increase his homer total to seven in his last seven trips to the mound. Gaviglio has faced the Red Sox on four occasions this season, picking up the win after three scoreless innings on May 11 and taking the loss later that month after permitting four runs - including two homers - in a 6-4 setback.

Rodriguez tasted defeat for the first time since June 29 when he yielded five runs on six hits - including two solo homers - over 3 1/3 innings of a 5-3 setback versus Houston on Saturday. The 25-year-old looks to get back on track when he faces Toronto, against which he owns a 2-0 mark with a 2.41 ERA in three starts this season. Rodriguez's most-recent effort against the Blue Jays saw him scatter four hits over 5 1/3 scoreless innings in a no-decision on July 14.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston SS Xander Bogaerts has nine hits - including two homers - to go along with four RBIs and three runs scored in his last five games.

2. Toronto OF Teoscar Hernandez is 0-for-6 with four strikeouts in the series.

3. Red Sox OF Jackie Bradley Jr. has hit safely in five of his last six games overall and is batting .339 in his last 33 contests at Fenway Park.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 4, Blue Jays 2