The Red Sox’ scorching hot July is in the rearview mirror. Boston will look to reverse its fortune in order to avoid a fifth consecutive loss on Wednesday.
Ranger Suarez returns to the bump for the Sox. Suarez has not allowed a run in four career appearances against the Blue Jays.
It will mark the lefthander’s third start of the season against Toronto. On April 27, Suarez was at his very best, twirling eight innings of one-hit ball, striking out 10. He also toed the rubber against the Jays on July 26, fanning six in four shutout innings and scattering four hits.
Adley Rutschman made his Red Sox debut in Tuesday’s 5-3 loss. The All-Star catcher finished 1 for 3 with a pair of walks.
“Having him actually ready to go in the lineup and knowing what he’s capable of — not only in the batter’s box, but behind the plate — yeah, I think it’ll be a lift for the boys, moving forward, knowing that he’s in there,” Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said.
The Red Sox will face José Soriano, whom the Blue Jays picked up at the trade deadline from the Angels.
Can the Red Sox right the ship? Here’s a preview.
Lineups
RED SOX (64-55): Yoshida DH, Rafaela CF, Rutschman C, Contreras 1B, Abreu RF, Durbin 3B, Duran LF, Monasterio SS, Sogard 2B
Pitching: LHP Ranger Suarez (4-3, 3.32 ERA)
BLUE JAYS (58-63): McAdoo 3B, Bateman RF, Gueerrero Jr. 1B, Kirk C, Okamoto DH, Gimenez SS, Clement 2B, Sanchez LF, Straw CF
Pitching: RHP José Soriano (9-6, 3.24 ERA)
Time: 7:07 p.m.
TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7
Red Sox vs. Soriano: Wilyer Abreu 2-2, Jarren Duran 2-3, Caleb Durbin 0-1, Ceddanne Rafaela 0-3, Adley Rutschman 0-1, Masataka Yoshida 0-2
Blue Jays vs. Suarez: Ernie Clement 2-7, Andrés Giménez 1-5, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 0-9, Alejandro Kirk 3-5, Nathan Lukes 0-2, Kazuma Okamoto 0-5, Josh Smith 0-3, George Springer 2-5, Myles Straw 0-8, Jesús Sánchez 2-7
Stat of the day: The Red Sox have a 31-16 record in games in which they did not allow a home run.
Notes: Masataka Yoshida is 12 for 38 with a home run and seven RBIs over the past 10 games. ... The Blue Jays have a 34-12 record in games in which they scored five or more runs. ... Soriano has not faced the Red Sox this season and is 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA in two career appearances against Boston. ... The Blue Jays paid up to acquire Soriano, parting with No. 2 prospect Arjun Nimmala, a shortstop, as well as outfielder Eddie Micheletti and righthander Angel Rivero. ... Soriano has made one start for Toronto, allowing one earned run on four hits, walking three, and striking out three in 4 ⅔ innings against the Phillies on Aug. 7.
Cam Kerry can be reached at cam.kerry@globe.com.