Boston Red Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays: Starting Lineup - Series Finale Preview

Through 29 games last year, the Toronto Blue Jays were 13-16.

Through 29 games this year, they’re 13-16.

There’s a lot of baseball left, so many ways this season can go, and today the Blue Jays will get a boost in the right direction.

Designated hitter George Springer has been activated from the injured list.

He will not lead-off against the Boston Red Sox, but is available off the bench on Wednesday, per Hazel Mae of Sportsnet.

Springer has missed the last 15 games after suffering a broken toe back on April 11.

Blue Jays left-hander Eric Lauer will be on the bump versus Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello

First Pitch is at 3:07 PM ET on SN1, NESN, and on Sportsnet 590 The Fan radio.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Tuesday that Eric Lauer would start today's game versus the Red Sox in place of the injured Max Scherzer.

Last weekend, the Blue Jays announced that Lauer would shift to the bullpen to accommodate the return of Trey Yesavage.

Lauer has yet to make a relief appearance since that announcement, and he could immediately slide back into the rotation when Scherzer's turn comes up.

Any reappointment to the rotation could be short-lived for Lauer, however, with Jose Berrios (elbow) nearing a return from the injured list.

The left-handed Lauer owns a 6.75 ERA and 1.54 WHIP alongside a 19:12 K:BB across 22.2 innings this season.

The Red Sox will counter with right-hander Brayan Bello (1-3).

In his last outing Bello took the loss, surrendering eight runs on 13 hits, including five home runs, and a walk over 3.1 innings as the Red Sox were routed 10-3 by the Orioles. He struck out two.

The 13 hits and five long balls allowed were unsurprisingly career worsts for Bello, and the right-hander had already tied his previous career-worst mark by serving up three long balls before he'd even escaped the first inning.

Bello has failed to complete five innings in four of his first five starts this season, stumbling to a 9.00 ERA, 2.27 WHIP and 15:13 K:BB through 22 innings, and it might only be injuries to other pitchers keeping him in the rotation at this point.

Bello will try to right the ship this afternoon against a Blue Jays lineup that is starting to come into their own lately.

Last 10 games: Blue Jays: 6-4, .261 batting average, 3.99 ERA, outscored opponents by three runs

Red Sox: 4-6, .231 batting average, 4.09 ERA, outscored opponents by two runs

Blue Jays: Nathan Lukes: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Yimi Garcia: 60-Day IL (elbow), Addison Barger: 10-Day IL (ankle), Cody Ponce: 60-Day IL (knee), Anthony Santander: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Alejandro Kirk: 10-Day IL (hand), Shane Bieber: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jose Berrios: 15-Day IL (elbow), Lazaro Estrada: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Bowden Francis: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Red Sox: Patrick Sandoval: 15-Day IL (elbow), Kutter Crawford: 15-Day IL (wrist), Justin Slaten: 15-Day IL (oblique), Triston Casas: 60-Day IL (knee), Sonny Gray: 15-Day IL (leg), Johan Oviedo: 60-Day IL (elbow), Romy Gonzalez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tanner Houck: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Also read on Blue Jays Central :
Toronto Blue Jays announce return date for starting pitcher Jose Berrios