The Toronto Blue Jays head to Fenway Park on Friday, July 24, for a 7:15 PM ET showdown against the Boston Red Sox, with right-hander Trey Yesavage getting the nod for Toronto opposite Boston's Patrick Sandoval. It's a marquee AL East clash between two division rivals with playoff implications on the line deep into the summer, and every game at this stage of the schedule carries real weight. Catch the action on Apple TV or SN590 THE FAN if you're listening along in Toronto.

Starting Pitching Matchup: Yesavage vs. Sandoval

Trey Yesavage gets the ball for the Jays in what shapes up as a significant test for the young arm. Pitching stats for this outing are unavailable heading into game time, so the focus is squarely on execution — can Yesavage attack the Boston lineup early in counts and keep the ball in the yard at Fenway, where the Green Monster has a way of turning routine fly balls into nightmares for visiting pitchers?

On the other side, Patrick Sandoval takes the mound for Boston. Sandoval is a left-hander who works with deception and can be tough on a lineup if he's locating his changeup. Toronto will need to be disciplined early and patient against him, working counts to get into the Boston bullpen. Again, detailed ERA and record figures are unavailable ahead of first pitch, but this is a matchup worth watching closely from the opening frame.

Toronto Blue Jays Lineup at Fenway Park

• 1. Ernie Clement, SS
• 2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
• 3. Kazuma Okamoto, 3B
• 4. George Springer, DH
• 5. Alejandro Kirk, C
• 6. Davis Schneider, LF
• 7. Daulton Varsho, CF
• 8. Luis Urías, 2B
• 9. Myles Straw, RF

Keys to Watch for Toronto

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the Middle of Everything

Vlad Jr. hitting second gives Toronto's lineup a genuine focal point early in the order. If Ernie Clement can get on base ahead of him, the Jays can do damage before the Red Sox even settle in. Guerrero's ability to drive runs in from the two-hole makes this lineup construction worth monitoring throughout the night.

Kazuma Okamoto Hitting Third

Slotting Okamoto third behind Guerrero puts a lot of trust in the young infielder to produce in a run-producing spot. How he handles Sandoval — a left-hander who can be tricky — could swing the game's early momentum in one direction or the other.

Springer as the Cleanup Bat

George Springer in the four-hole as the designated hitter gives Toronto some veteran presence in the heart of the order. Springer at Fenway is always an interesting matchup to track — he's the kind of hitter who can punish a mistake pitch over the Monster.

Alejandro Kirk Controlling the Running Game

Boston's lineup features some speed at the top, with Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu capable of making things happen on the bases. Kirk behind the plate will need to be sharp managing Yesavage and keeping Boston's baserunners in check.

Prediction

This one figures to be tight. Fenway is never an easy venue, and the Red Sox lineup has enough quality to make any road start uncomfortable. But if Yesavage comes out sharp and the Jays can get to Sandoval in the middle innings, Toronto has the firepower in this lineup to steal a win on the road. Guerrero Jr. and Springer are too dangerous to hold down for nine innings in a ballpark with short fences. Jays take this one in a 4-3 game that goes down to the wire.