Red Sox at Blue Jays
Rafael Devers was among the more notable snubs for the All-Star Game and the Boston Red Sox third baseman appears intent on sending a message that he rates among the league's elite players. After belting two homers and tying a career high with six RBIs, Devers looks to lift Boston to its second straight win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night.
Devers collected four hits in Tuesday's 10-6 romp and is 15-for-27 with 10 runs scored during a six-game hitting streak to raise his average to .329 and help the Red Sox snap a three-game slide. Boston goes for the series win behind left-hander Chris Sale, who has struggled in a pair of home starts versus the Blue Jays this season but has been superb north of the border with a 5-1 record and 1.60 ERA at Rogers Centre. Catcher Danny Jansen homered for the third time in five games for Toronto, which is 3-2 at the midway point of its 10-game homestand despite scoring 36 runs. Rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. contributed a two-run double for the Blue Jays, who fell to a dismal 16-27 at home.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), Sportsnet, TVA (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Chris Sale (3-7, 3.82 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Jacob Waguespack (0-0, 4.50)
Sale registered double-digit strikeouts for the 10th time in 13 starts last time out, but he had his second straight shaky performance in giving up five runs over six innings in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox. He took the loss in his previous turn against the Blue Jays, giving up five runs in four innings to push his ERA to 8.00 in two starts versus Toronto. Randal Grichuk has been a nemesis for Sale, going 6-for-12 with a pair of home runs.
With Toronto forced to use Sean Reid-Foley -- Wednesday's scheduled starter -- in relief Tuesday, the team is expected to summon rookie Waguespack from Triple-A Buffalo to make his first career start. The 25-year-old made his major league debut against Tampa Bay on May 27, giving up three runs and three hits while striking out seven over four innings in a relief appearance. Waguespack is 2-6 with a 5.30 ERA in 12 appearances (11 starts) at Buffalo.
WALK-OFFS
1. Red Sox RH Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) will take over as closer once he returns from the injured list.
2. Blue Jays LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had his nine-game hitting streak snapped Tuesday but he walked twice and had a sacrifice fly.
3. Boston 1B Steve Pearce hurt his knee during a rehab game and will miss at least a month, GM Dave Dombrowski said.