Blue Jays @ Red Sox

Who will WIN this matchup?

Toronto Blue Jays (7-5)

@ Boston Red Sox (6-6)

Starting Pitchers:

Gausman (TOR): 0-1; 4.22 ERA

Houck (BOS) 1-0; 3.00 ERA

Current odds:

Toronto Blue Jays: (-118)

Boston Red Sox: (-102)

• The starting line up for the Blue Jays is as follows:

• The starting line up for the Red Sox is as follows:

• The Toronto Blue Jays and host Boston Red Sox split the first two games of their series, and now there’s a chance both clubs could be without an important regular in the rubber match on Thursday afternoon. Toronto center fielder George Springer exited in the sixth inning of the Blue Jays’ 6-1 win on Wednesday after being struck by a Phillips Valdez pitch. Springer has a right forearm contusion, and he was due to be re-evaluated to assess his condition. Boston designated hitter J.D. Martinez, who had two hits in his only two at-bats on Wednesday, was lifted in the third inning due to left adductor tightness. His status also had yet to be determined.

• The Red Sox received another scare when Trevor Story was plunked in the helmet by a Jose Berrios pitch. The 93 mph fastball hit the protective flap on the left side of Story’s helmet, and the second baseman remained in the game.

• In his latest outing, Houck tossed 5 2/3 strong innings in a 4-0 win over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. The 25-year-old has not been involved in a decision in his career against the Blue Jays, but he has been effective, posting a 2.35 ERA and 13 strikeouts against just three walks in 7 2/3 innings over two starts. Houck has traditionally fared better at home than on the road. In 49 2/3 innings in his career at Fenway Park, he has a 2.54 ERA, compared to a 3.38 ERA in 45 1/3 innings on the road.

• COVID-19-related issues have impacted the Red Sox. The club did receive good news on Wednesday when Christian Vazquez, their regular catcher, was restated from the COVID-19 injured list. Vazquez last played on Monday, when he hit his first homer of the season against the Twins.

• Gausman is seeking his first win with the Blue Jays after signing a five-year, $110 million contract in the offseason. The 31-year-old enjoyed a career year with the San Francisco Giants in 2021, placing sixth in the National League Cy Young Award voting after going 14-6 with a 2.81 ERA.

• He is no stranger to facing the Red Sox. Gausman, who was with the American League East rival Baltimore Orioles from 2013-18, is 4-8 with a 4.53 ERA in 20 games (15 starts) against Boston.