Preview: Red Sox take on Toronto for Three

8/18 7:07 on NESN Beckett (14-4, 3.10 ERA) vs. Romero (10-5, 3.70 ERA)
8/19 7:07 on NESN Buchholz (1-3, 4.45 ERA) vs. Halladay (13-5, 2.65 ERA)
8/20 7:07 on NESN Lester (9-7, 3.71 ERA) vs. Richmond (6-6, 4.01 ERA)

GAME 1

Ricky Romero's numbers appear good, but he has a 5.00 ERA in the second half. The lefty gave up four runs in 4 1/3 IP in his last start against the Sox in July 17th while giving up five hits and five walks. Josh Beckett has been dealing, allowing two earned runs over his last three starts (21 IP). He has not faced Toronto yet this season.

GAME 2

Clay Buchholz is coming off two good starts and will try and keep it coming. Against two good offenses (the Yankees and Tigers) and pitchers for that matter (CC and Verlander), he gave up three earned runs in 13 innings. He still needs to decrease his walks (eight over those two starts). Halladay is still a Jay, so we still need to master him (complete game one run against the Sox on July 19th). In fact, over his last six starts and a possible 54 innings, the horse has pitched 50 innings! Tough luck for Clay who has to face another ace.

GAME 3

Win-less in his last four starts, Jon Lester will look to pick up his tenth win in the third and final game of the series. The strikeout pitcher (an incredible 176 in 153 IP) will need better run-support in this one. Ricky Romero has made two starts since coming off the DL after missing a month; the first implosion versus Oakland and the other a quality start versus the Yanks. The Red Sox haven't seen much of him (just two innings in May), so they probably won't be able to hit him since they have so much trouble hitting pitchers they don't see.

MORE

-Youkilis returns from suspension, so the lineup juggle continues. Papi had a good series versus Texas (3/8 with 2 HRs and a double), and will be tough to sit in game one versus the lefty.
-The Sox are 7.5 games back of the Yanks for the division, and .5 game back of the Rangers for the Wild Card
-The Sox need a at least two out of three before the weekend tilt against the Yankees in Boston.