Toronto Blue Jays look to bury Red Sox in AL East race

Jun 27, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays stayrting pitcher Matt Boyd (46) is relieved by Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons (5) during the seventh inning in a game against the Texas Rangers at Rogers Centre. The Texas Rangers won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Game 4: Thursday, July 2nd   –   7:07 ET

Matt Boyd vs. Wade Miley

Rookie left-hander Matt Boyd will get his second start of the season to close out this series, and he’s earned it. The home run ball ate him up in his first start, allowing four earned runs on nine hits over 6.2 IP, but Boyd displayed a feel for pitching that should allow him to develop into a reliable, albeit somewhat unspectacular, starting option in Toronto.

Boyd recorded seven strikeouts with zero walks and showed the ability to pump his fastball into the 94 MPH range when needed (after sitting at 89 – 92 MPH). His off speed pitches haven’t drawn rave reviews from scouts, but he was confident throwing them in all counts and did find success at times with the curveball. It will be interesting to see what difference Russell Martin will make behind the plate, assuming he gets the nod this time around.

Wade Miley will battle the rookie for Boston, and he, like the Red Sox rotation as a whole, is slowly starting to return to average levels. Miley has posted three straight quality starts, striking out eight in his last outing, but remains a somewhat volatile asset on the mound. Miley took the loss against Toronto on May 8th, allowing four runs in six innings.

Next: Injury update: Aaron Sanchez on the mend