It may be a case of too little, too late, but the Toronto Blue Jays hope a significant bullpen shuffle will rekindle their postseason chances as they continue their weekend series against the host Boston Red Sox on Saturday. The Blue Jays pulled the trigger on a 10-player deal with Houston on Friday, bringing over left-hander J.A. Happ and former Toronto hurler Brandon Lyon. Both pitchers will work in relief roles for Toronto, which has one of the highest bullpen ERAs in baseball.

CLICK HERE to Bet on MLB Baseball at Bovada

Jays relievers may not see much work Saturday if Carlos Villanueva continues his red-hot stretch. The veteran right-hander has been fantastic in an emergency starting role, posting back-to-back six-inning shutout performances while striking out 15 over that span. He’ll be opposed by Red Sox righty Aaron Cook, who may not strike out 15 batters all season. Cook has been able to overcome his inability to miss bats, but he’ll be in tough Saturday against one of the better hitting teams in baseball.

Blue Jays Red Sox Betting

When: 7:10 PM ET, Saturday, July 21, 2012
Where: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), NESN (Boston).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Carlos Villanueva (4-0, 2.68 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Aaron Cook (2-2, 3.34)

Pressed into service following a rash of injuries to the Blue Jays’ starting rotation, Villanueva is making a serious case to stick around for the long haul. The 28-year-old limited Cleveland to three hits in his previous outing while overcoming a bout of wildness that saw him issue a season-high five walks. Control has been an issue in his career against the Red Sox; he’s 1-1 with a 4.63 ERA but has given up eight free passes in just 11 2/3 frames. He last faced them June 2, allowing a run in the ninth inning of a 7-4 loss.

Cook has been a statistical marvel – and not in a good way. The 33-year-old has recorded just two strikeouts over his first five starts spanning 29 2/3 innings. That includes back-to-back outings in which he hasn’t recorded a single K. Cook hasn’t fared well against the Blue Jays in his career, going 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in two starts. He settled for a no-decision last time out despite limiting the Chicago White Sox to an unearned run on five hits over seven strong innings.

WALK-OFFS: CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$

1. Toronto 3B Brett Lawrie may return to the lineup Saturday. Lawrie has missed the past two games with a calf injury.

2. As much as Cook has struggled when it comes to strikeouts, the former Colorado Rockies hurler has shown pinpoint control, issuing just two walks.

3. The Blue Jays rank 23rd in the majors with a 4.31 bullpen ERA.

sports betting