The Boston Red Sox head north of the border to open a series at Rogers Centre on Monday, August 10, with first pitch scheduled for 7:07 PM ET. Sonny Gray gets the ball for Boston against Toronto's Jameson Taillon in what shapes up as a classic AL East pitching duel. With the dog days of summer in full swing, every game in the division carries weight, and this one is no different. Catch it on NESN or WEEI 93.7 if you're making the drive home.

Probable Pitchers: Gray vs. Taillon

Sonny Gray is Boston's starter Monday, and his assignment is a familiar one — silence a Blue Jays lineup that features one of the most dangerous right-handed hitters in the American League. Gray has been a steady presence at the top of the Red Sox rotation, and this is exactly the kind of start that defines a pitcher's value to a contending club. He'll need to work efficiently and keep the ball out of the middle of the zone with Guerrero lurking in the three hole.

Jameson Taillon takes the hill for Toronto. Taillon is a veteran who can go deep into games when his command is working. He'll face a Boston lineup that has some interesting construction to it — Nick Sogard leading off at shortstop, Ceddanne Rafaela batting second in center, and Willson Contreras anchoring the cleanup spot at first base. That's a lineup with different looks and some genuine professional hitters sprinkled throughout.

Boston Lineup to Watch

• Nick Sogard (SS, leadoff) — Sets the table. His ability to get on base early dictates the tone of Boston's offensive approach.
• Ceddanne Rafaela (CF, 2) — Rafaela's speed in the two spot creates havoc on the basepaths and pressure on opposing pitchers.
• Wilyer Abreu (RF, 3) — Hitting third, Abreu needs to be a run producer here against a pitcher who can miss bats.
• Willson Contreras (1B, 4) — The veteran cleanup man. Experience matters in Rogers Centre with the crowd into it.
• Masataka Yoshida (DH, 5) — A tough at-bat for any pitcher. Yoshida's plate discipline keeps rallies alive.
• Jarren Duran (LF, 7) — Batting seventh is an interesting spot for Duran, who has legitimate top-of-the-order tools. Worth watching how he responds in this role.

Toronto Lineup to Watch

The Blue Jays counter with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. batting third — that's the name on the scouting report every time Gray goes into his windup. George Springer bats cleanup as the DH, and Jesús Sánchez slots in at five. Andrés Giménez, acquired from Cleveland, hits sixth at shortstop. This is a lineup with enough pop to punish any mistake left over the middle of the plate.

Keys to the Game

• Gray vs. Guerrero — How Gray handles Guerrero Jr. with men on base will likely determine the outcome more than any other matchup in this game.
• Boston's one through three — If Sogard, Rafaela, and Abreu can create traffic against Taillon early, the Red Sox offense has the pieces behind them to do damage.
• Bullpen availability — In a mid-August road game, the back end of both bullpens matters. Boston's late-inning relief will be tested if this one stays close into the seventh.
• Rogers Centre atmosphere — Toronto crowds can be loud in August with playoff positioning on the line. Road composure from the Red Sox will be essential.

Prediction

This one figures to be low-scoring and tight through six innings. Gray has the profile to handle a lineup like Toronto's, but Guerrero is the kind of hitter who can flip a game with one swing. Taillon will give the Blue Jays length, but Boston's lineup has enough professional at-bats to manufacture something against him. Call it Red Sox 4, Blue Jays 3 in a game that isn't decided until late. Buckle up.