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Halladay takes the mound against Red Sox

Jul 12, 2007 - 1:11 PM Toronto (43-44) at Boston (53-34) 7:05 pm EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) - Roy Halladay hopes to help the Toronto Blue Jays chip away at the Boston Red Sox's large division lead.

Halladay gets the start as the Blue Jays look for a fourth win in their last five games when they face the Red Sox on Thursday in the opener of a four-game series.

Boston leads the American League East by 10 games over the Blue Jays and the New York Yankees, who are tied for second.

After not being invited to the All-Star Game for the first time in two seasons, Halladay (10-3, 4.46 ERA) is looking for his fifth win in his last six starts.

The 30-year-old righthander is 5-1 with a 4.17 ERA and 22 strikeouts over his previous six starts.

Halladay has not put up his best numbers against Boston his career, posting a 9-8 record with a 4.67 ERA in 27 games.

The Red Sox will counter with Tim Wakefield (9-8, 4.39), who is looking for his third straight decision and his fifth win in six starts.

The 40-year-old knuckleballer gave up four runs and seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings in a 7-5 triumph over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on June 4.

Boston, which sent six players to the Midsummer Classic, will hope to stop a three-game losing streak.