Friday MLB: Boston Red Sox (54-34) at Toronto Blue Jays (44-46)
The Boston Red Sox are in first place in the AL East, so all should be well with Boston. All except for shortstop Julio Lugo.
He did not accompany the club to Toronto for this weekend’s series with the Jays. Shortstop Jed Lowrie appears poised to be activated from the disabled list on Saturday, and third baseman Mike Lowell also is expected back from the DL this weekend, which means the Sox will have to make some roster moves, and it appears Lugo is the odd man out.
The Red Sox would like to trade the disappointing Lugo, but no one is going to take a guy who is owed $13.5 million through next season. If a trade can’t be worked out within the next day or so, the Red Sox could designate Lugo for assignment, paving the way for his ultimate release.
“We certainly have some decisions to make,” manager Terry Francona said. “And [general manager] Theo [Epstein] and I have talked a bunch about this; I don’t think that’s any secret.”
Plus Boston has taken another roster spot by calling up Clay Buchholz (0-0) from Triple-A to start tonight.
Buchholz, who threw a no-hitter in 2007 but went 2-9 with a 6.75 ERA last year, hasn’t pitched in the majors since August 2008. But his 7-2 record and 2.36 ERA — with just 67 hits allowed in 99 innings – in Triple-A this year has helped him earn what could be a one-start stint with Boston. Buchholz is 0-2 with a 4.22 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) against Toronto.
The Red Sox are +112 underdogs on WagerWeb.com for tonight’s game. They enter the second half of the season in first place in the AL East for the fifth consecutive year.
Toronto starts impressive youngster Ricky Romero (7-3, 3.00) tonight. He is 5-1 with a 2.38 ERA over his past eight starts. Over that stretch, the left-hander has limited opponents to a .221 average. The Jays are -120 favorites on WagerWeb.com.
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