Every game matters from here on out.

Entering Monday evening’s game with the Boston Red Sox, the Toronto Blue Jays currently sit three and a half games back of the final wild card with six teams to jump. While doable, it’ll be far from easy, especially with this coming stretch.

All of their next four series will be against the three American League East teams currently holding a playoff spot. The first of these series begins on Monday, taking on the red-hot Red Sox. How red-hot? Well since the Jays swept their American League East rival at Fenway Park in mid-June, the Red Sox are on a 35-10 tear. It’s taken their record from 29-43 to 64-53.

The Jays need that type of run, and to their credit, they’ve played better these last few weeks. Since losing two of three to the Red Sox at Fenway in late July, the Jays are 8-5, winning four consecutive series. All four of those series have seen them take two of three, with a loss to the Chicago Cubs mixed in. Less said about that game, the better.

To make matters worse, the Blue Jays’ bullpen is exhausted, as they’ve played in four extra-inning games in their last five games. Jameson Taillon is also on the mound, meaning the Jays needed to add Simeon Woods Richardson to the 40-man and 26-man rosters just to cover some length if things go awry.

Taillon hasn’t had a great season, entering Monday’s game with a 5.96 ERA and 6.67 FIP in 80 innings of work. All but one of his 16 starts were with the Cubs, but his start against the Astros didn’t go particularly well. Over four innings, he surrendered three earned runs and struck out four.

On the mound for the Red Sox is Sonny Gray, who carries a 14-2 record and a 2.78 ERA. The good news is that one of those losses came at the hands of the Blue Jays at the end of July. Gray went just five innings, giving up five earned runs with three strikeouts. In his other start on June 18th, he went seven innings with three earned runs given up.

Gray has given up 12 home runs this season, three of which have come in his two starts against the Blue Jays. All three of those home run hitters in the lineup. Nathan Lukes and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. both took him deep on on June 18th in a 4-3 Blue Jays’ victory. George Springer hit a home run off the righty on July 25th.

Lukes is batting lead-off and Guerrero Jr. is batting third. Between them is Brett Bateman, who is in centre field again, followed by Springer in the clean-up spot. Jesús Sánchez bats fifth and is in left field. Andrés Giménez has been one of the team’s best hitters for a few weeks now, and after a fantastic series against the Phillies, he slots in sixth in the lineup.

Before the game, Charles McAdoo was called up after four consecutive games with a home run with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. After Kazuma Okamoto was removed from the lineup due to a knee contusion, McAdoo will bat seventh. He’s followed by Josh Smith, who is playing second, and Brandon Valenzuela.

Let’s set up Monday evening’s series opener!

Toronto Blue Jays – Jameson Taillon: 2-6 record, 5.96 ERA, 80 IP, 72 SO, 29 BB

Boston Red Sox – Sonny Gray: 14-2 record, 2.78 ERA, 119.2 IP, 106 SO, 32 BB