Felix Doubront

The Red Sox on Monday kick off a three-game series at Fenway Park against division rival Toronto. The Sox pushed past the Blue Jays and out of a tie for last place in the AL East on Sunday, and they’re looking to avoid falling back to the bottom.

On the mound for the Sox will be Felix Doubront, who has been a pleasant surprise all year, providing much-needed consistency for a starting rotation that has struggled with that. The 24-year-old lefty leads the team in wins (8, tied with Clay Buchholz), and strikeouts (85). His 4.31 ERA trails only Josh Beckett (4.14) among Sox starters.

Doubront struggled in his last outing, giving up four earned runs on nine hits in six innings against the Marlins at Fenway (although the Sox won the game, 15-5). His four strikeouts were his fewest since May 7. That he pitched far better in Miami a week earlier should come as no surprise, as Doubront has been far less effective at home, with a 5.59 ERA at Fenway compared to 3.19 ERA on the road.

Doubront has faced the Jays twice this season (both in Toronto), compiling a 1-0 record and 4.31 ERA. Career-wise, in 56 total plate appearances, the Blue Jays are hitting .269 against Doubront, with three home runs, seven RBIs and 13 strikeouts.

Fellow Venezuelan Henderson Alvarez will take the mound opposite Doubront. The 22-year-old is 3-6 with a 4.30 ERA in 14 starts this season and has particularly struggled in June, going 0-2 with a 6.29 ERA. His troubles actually date back to his last seven starts, during which time he is 0-4 with a 6.26 ERA.

Henderson features a fastball which he throws 72 percent of the time, a change up (18 percent) and a slider (10 percent). Though his fastball consistently reaches into the mid-to-upper 90s, Henderson does not generate many strikeouts, with just 27 on the season.

He has had some success against the Red Sox, holding them to a .217 batting average in 48 plate appearances. But when he faced them on June 1, he allowed four runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings and took the loss.

Blue Jays vs. Doubront (LHP)

Jose Bautista (9 plate appearances): .222 BA/.222 OBP/.889 SLG, 2 home runs, 2 RBIs

Kelly Johnson (8): .429/.500/.429, 2 RBIs, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts

Edwin Encarnacion (7): .333/.429/.333, 1 RBI, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts

Yunel Escobar (6): .200/.333/.200, 1 walk, 1 strikeout

Brett Lawrie (6): .333/.333/.500, 1 double, 1 strikeout

Rajai Davis (5): .000/.000/.000, 2 strikeouts

Colby Rasmus (5): .200/.200/.600, 1 triple, 1 strikeout

David Cooper (4): .250/.250/.500, 1 double, 1 RBI, 1 strikeout

J.P. Arencibia (3): .000/.333/.000, 1 walk, 1 strikeout

Jeff Mathis (3): .667/.667/1.667, 1 home run, 1 RBI, 1 strikeout

Red Sox vs. Alvarez (RHP)

Adrian Gonzalez (9 plate appearances): .250 (BA)/.333 OBP/.375 SLG, 1 double, 1 RBI, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts

David Ortiz (8): .429/.500/.857, 1 home run, 1 RBI, 1 walk

Dustin Pedroia (6): .167/.167/.667, 1 home run, 1 RBI

Mike Aviles (5): .200/.200/.200, 2 strikeouts

Jarrod Saltalamacchia (5): .000/.000/.000, 1 RBI

Will Middlebrooks (3): .000/.000/.000

Daniel Nava (3): .667/.667/1.000, 1 double

Nick Punto (2): .000/.000/.000

Cody Ross (2): .500/.500/.500, 1 single