Monday, April 18, 2016

Red Sox, Jays set for Patriots' Day matinee

It's taken 12 games, but the Red Sox will finally face a left-handed starter on Monday at Fenway Park. Southpaw J.A. Happ gets the nod for the Blue Jays, while right-hander Clay Buchholz takes the hill for the Red Sox in a special 11:05 a.m. ET start time due to Patriots' Day. The game will also air on MLB Network.
Boston Marathon bombing survivor Jeff Bauman and actor Jake Gyllenhaal will throw out the first pitch during a ceremony that will stream live on MLB.com. The national anthem will be performed by a U.S. Marine Corp Band, and military members from Hanscom Air Force base will line the warning track along the left-field wall with the New England End Zone Militia presenting the colors. During the seventh-inning stretch, U.S. Navy musician Laura Carey will perform "God Bless America."
Buchholz has struggled in his first two starts this season, unable to complete six innings in either contest. In his previous outing against the Orioles, the right-hander allowed five runs on five hits in five-plus innings. Two two-run home runs proved to be his undoing.
In Happ's last start against the Yankees, the left-hander allowed one run on seven hits in six innings for his first win of the season. The left-hander has thrown quality starts in both his outings this season.
Three things to know about this game
• Buchholz is 13-9 with a 3.40 ERA in 28 career games (27 starts) against the Blue Jays.
• Jose Bautista has more career at-bats against Buchholz than any other player. He comes in hitting .241 (14-for-58) with one home run, five RBIs and 13 strikeouts.
• David Ortiz holds the all-time record for doubles (65), home runs (59) and RBIs (182) against the Blue Jays. Monday will be Ortiz's final Patriots' Day with the Red Sox, as he will retire following the 2016 season.

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