Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell will be making his first trip to Toronto since essentially being traded to Boston in the off-season. Farrell managed the Blue Jays for two seasons following his tenure as Red Sox pitching coach from 2007-2010. (more)

Dustin Pedroia produced two hits and two RBI’s to lead his Boston Red Sox past the Toronto Blue Jays last night at Fenway Park. The game-breaker came early in the 2nd inning when Jays starter Brandon Morrow couldn’t find the plate, resulting in five walks for the Sox to gain the 6-4 advantage. “There’s something to be said for patience at the plate,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. “I know Morrow was having a tough time commanding, but we didn’t go out of the zone and we got some runs because of it.” Boston ended their run production in the third before holding the Blue Jays hitless through the last four innings. John Lackey let up six runs and eight hits in six innings of work. Hideki Okajima, Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon shut the door from there, giving the Sox their 17th win to put them over .500 for the season. The Red Sox are starting to gain momentum, winning six-of-eight since May 3rd when they hosted the LA Angels. They will take on the Blue Jays at home for two more games before facing a string of away games against the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees. Purchase your regular season Boston Red Sox tickets right here at Ace!

The Philadelphia Phillies and Roy Halladay have recently agreed on a three-year $60 million deal with an extra $20 million option for 2014. This would be the first confirmation of the three-way block buster trade between the Phillies, Blue Jays and Mariners. Philadelphia is planning to send Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee to Seattle in exchange for prospects Phillippe Aumot and Tyson Gillies. The Phillies may also trade outfielder Michael Taylor for Travis D’Arnaud and pitcher Kyle Drabek to Toronto. Aside from the main scenario, other possible deals have been discussed that would involve the Oakland Athletics. The priorities in the agreements are clearly ace’s Halladay and Lee. With Lee alongside stand-out pitcher Felix Hernandez, the Mariners are certainly in better position in comparison to their AL West rival Los Angeles Angels, who just lost John Lackey to free agency and the Boston Red Sox. The New York Yankees have decided to end discussions with veteran slugger Hideki Matsui. In the final game of the 2009 World Series Matsui produced three hits and six RBI’s. He is reportedly a physical away from joining the Angels organization. As far as pitching goes, LA will definitely need another spark to keep them in contention for 2010. “We have some guys who can really hold it down,” said Torii Hunter of the current rotation, “but we need a veteran to lead the way a bit. I still think we have a team that’s good enough to win.”

A variety of conversations are taking place just four weeks into the MLB off-season. Ace pitcher Roy Halladay has declared that he will not approve of any trade deals until reporting to spring training with the Blue Jays, signifying his willingness to stay with the Toronto organization until reaching free agency at the end of next season. The All-Star previously stated that he would like to contribute to an already winning franchise. Jeff Berry, longtime partner of Halladay’s agent Greg Landry, recently released this statement: “One thing is certain – once Roy reports to spring training as a member of the Blue Jays, from that point forward he will not approve or even discuss any potential trade scenario. This will eliminate a repeat of the distracting media frenzy of 2009 for both Roy and his teammates, and will allow Roy to focus on pitching at the exceptional level Jays fans have come to expect.” MLB experts believe Halladay could be swayed to accept deals from either the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, or Los Angeles Angels.  Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia would like to switch over to the shortstop position if the opportunity arises in 2010. “They’ve asked me if I think I could play shortstop,” said Pedroia. “They’ve put it out there and I’ve told them I’m all for it. I can do it. I can’t wait for (Terry Francona) to call me and ask, ‘Can you do it?’ I can do it. I really want to do it.” Francona experimented with the 2008 MVP at the position in spring training in 2006. He was an All-American shortstop at Arizona State, and continues to take ground balls from the left side of the infield every season. The Yankees are not offering arbitration to any free agents including Andy Pettitte, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, and Xavier Nady. New York hopes to bring Damon, Matsui, and Pettitte back without paying the expensive salaries that would come through arbitration. The three veterans collected at least $11 million apiece last season. Check here at Ace for more MLB off-season information!

In last night’s 12-0 loss against the Toronto Blue Jays, only two usual starters took the field last night at Fenway Park. Tim Wakefield allowed five runs on seven hits over three innings for his final regular season outing.  “I don’t want to give up on the team, regardless if I’m 60 percent. I feel like I’m needed. The staff has made it clear that I’m needed to be out there, and I’m going to go out there at 40 percent if I have to,” said Wakefield. ”Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough tonight and ‘Doc’ pitched a great game for them.” Doc (referring to Blue Jays ace pitcher Roy Halladay) let up just three hits in his full nine innings of work. Although Boston hasn’t been looking too sharp this past week, the most important thing for them is to prepare for their potentially long playoff stretch ahead.  Manager Terry Francona said after the game that “We’re trying so hard to keep our pitching not only in order, but strong going forward.” Josh Beckett despite recent back problems suggests that he will be ready to go when post-season play comes around.  “Absolutely, I think I’ll make my next start,” said Beckett. “I think if I had to I could probably – I don’t think we’re going to need this – but I could go sooner if I needed to…I think right now we’re just kind of looking at Saturday to hopefully set things up.”  Saturday will mark the Red Sox second to last season game against the Cleveland Indians before they take on the playoffs. Boston will be starting their ALDS series against the Los Angeles Angels either October 7th or 8th (depending on which schedule the AL leading New York Yankees decide to take). The Sox are 4-5 this season against LA but have sent them home in the division series three different times back in 2004,2007, and 2008. Boston Red Sox playoff tickets are now available!

The Boston Red Sox almost pulled ahead of Toronto late in the ninth inning last night, but closer Jason Frasor had the final say and shut the door for the Blue Jays to win 8-7. The Red Sox have lost five straight but were still able to stumble across the Wild Card spot following a Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim victory over the Texas Rangers. Second basemen Dustin Pedroia is confident heading into October despite their recent drought.  “I like our chances,” said Pedroia. “It doesn’t matter how you do it, as long as you’re in.”  Young talent Clay Buchholz didn’t show his best start from the mound yesterday, gift wrapping seven runs and five homers for the Jays in his five innings pitched.  Boston was down 8-2 until the eighth inning when the lineup decided to go on a tear to make it a run one game. The Red Sox now have a few games to gear up for the first round of the playoffs.  Before they host the Cleveland Indians for their final regular season homestand, Tim Wakefield will get the call to start against Toronto’s ace Roy Halladay. The veteran knuckleballer is 11-4 so far this season. Find the best Boston Red Sox Playoff ticket deals right here at AceTicket.com!

Due to last minute back spasms, Red Sox ace pitcher Josh Beckett was scratched from the starting lineup last night against the Toronto Blue Jays which resulting in manager Terry Francona to call on youngster Michael Bowden.  After being notified that day, Bowden looked shell shocked as the Jays teed him up for seven runs over three innings to eventually win 11-5.  “They could have told me at 7:05, and I should have been able to put forth a better effort. I feel like I let the team down,” Bowden said. “I didn’t keep the team in the game. I went out there, threw a lot of pitches and was up in the zone and got hit and set a bad tempo for the game.” Yesterday’s game marked Bowden’s second start in a Sox Uniform. His first came in 2008 against the Chicago White Sox, where he gave up just two runs in five innings pitched.  Despite the loss the Red Sox are looking forward to tonight’s matchup.  They need just one win or one Texas Rangers loss to earn the AL Wild Card spot and advance to post-season play.  Clay Buchholz will take the hill tonight against Ricky Romero. Buchholz has really been hitting his spots lately, racking up a 4-0 record with a 1.38 ERA in his last five starts. Game time is set for 7:10 pm. The Boston Red Sox are just one game away from the 2009 Playoffs! Tickets are now available!

Toronto Blue Jays infielders Edwin Encarnacion and Aaron Hill were both hit by pitches, putting the notion of retaliation through everyone’s head last night at Yankee Stadium.  In a game already out of reach in favor of the Blue Jays in the eighth inning, relief pitcher Jesse Carlson threw a fastball behind Yankees catcher Jorge Posada at the plate.  Soon after Posada gave a look that could kill while repeatedly saying “You don’t want to do that.” Benches cleared but minutes later tensions fell, or so we thought. After scoring from Brett Gardner’s double Posada threw Carlson a nice elbow while running by, which ultimately led to the real brawl.  “He was just right there on the line to the dugout. We got carried away and hopefully that’s the end of it,” said Posada. “I don’t want my kids to see that…fight in the middle of the field, benches clearing - that’s a bad example.”  Carlson had somewhat of a more humorous take on the situation, saying “once he crossed the plate and threw that elbow at me or whatever, I just said, ‘Let’s go.’ I’m probably the smallest guy in MLB and we were right near their dugout, so I was just hoping I got out of there all right.” Even though all of the excitement came and left with the fight, the game was still played.  In the Blue Jays 10-4 victory ace Roy Halladay threw for six innings and gave up just two runs. Yankees Sergio Mitre definitely didn’t make it any kind of pitching duel, letting up seven runs and four home runs in his five innings pitched.  The two teams are set to match up again tonight at Yankee Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 7:05 pm.

Paul Byrd made his return to the mound and pitched six shutout innings as the Boston Red Sox went on to dominate the Toronto Blue Jays 7-0 yesterday Fenway Park.  Byrd was on the Sox roster at the end of 2008, but wished to spend time with his family for the first half of this season with hopes to be picked up at the All-Star break.  “I feel like my arm has appreciated the rest,” said Byrd. “My arm feels very strong. I just want to stay sharp, and whatever happens with me, happens to me. I want a World Series ring. Any way I can help this team do that, if they need me to clean toilets, I’ll go do that. I’m just excited.” Blue Jays ace pitcher Roy Halladay struggled on the other end, giving up four runs off seven hits in six innings thrown.  Kevin Youkilis led the offensive campaign for the Sox with two hits and three RBI’s.  Billy Wagner made his debut from the Fenway bullpen and struck out three in his eighth inning contribution.  “It was great to join the team,” said the six-time All-Star. “Sitting on the bench and wearing the uniform doesn’t put you on the team. You have to earn stripes, and this was a small little stripe to earn and get their confidence and let them see me first-hand and kind of introduce yourself.” The Red Sox are scheduled to arrive at Tropicana Field for their next series against the Tampa Bay Rays starting tomorrow at 7:08 pm. Boston Red Sox tickets are now available!

Jason Bay supplied a two-run homer, and David Ortiz and Victor Martinez contributed solo shots as the Boston Red Sox went on to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-1 last night.  Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay wasn’t so dominant tonight, allowing five runs on eight hits in five innings.  Boston’s high power offense gave pitcher Clay Buchholz the opening to earn his second win of the season.  The Red Sox have been very strong offensively these past two games.  “We’ve been swinging good and when you’re swinging good, that’s what happens,” said Ortiz, who has homered in three straight games. “It doesn’t matter who we face, we’re going to produce.” Boston is scheduled to play Toronto once more before hosting the New York Yankees at Fenway Park this weekend.  Tim Wakefield (back problems) is set to make another minor league rehab start with Triple-A Pawtucket this Friday.  Daisuke Matsuzaka (out with an injured shoulder) will soon head to Boston and if cleared by doctors, will start on the mound for the Double-A Portland Seadogs.  Red Sox manager Terry Francona stated that second basemen Dustin Pedroia will be back in the lineup tonight.  Pedroia flew home on Tuesday to be with his wife as she gave birth to their first child. Boston Red Sox regular season tickets are still available with us at Aceticket.com!