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Red Sox Turn To Doubront To Stop Skid

BOSTON (CBS) - After a three-game sweep in Motown, the Boston Red Sox are looking to right the ship north of the border.

The Red Sox open a three-game set with the Blue Jays in Toronto Monday night, and will turn to young left-hander Felix Doubront to stop the early-season bleeding.

Doubront won a spot in the rotation, making the first Opening Day roster of his career,  after a decent spring. In four appearances, three of them starts, Doubront went 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA, allowing just five runs in 16.2 innings.

Monday will be Doubront's fourth career start, and first since 2010, but he knows what needs to be done in order to have success on the mound.

Read: Red Sox- Blue Jays Preview

"I have to be aggressive with every batter. I have respect for all the hitters, my plan is to get ahead," Doubront told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Jonny Miller in Detroit. "Pound the strike zone, get ahead in the count and then come in with my change and curveball."

What is a cause for concern with Doubront is the number of baserunners he allowed in the spring. He surrendered 18 hits, while walking another six, allowing a total of 24 baserunners in just 16.2 innings pitched. If he does that against the Blue Jays, or any major league lineup, Doubront will be in for short outings and likely a trip back to the bullpen.

But the 24-year-old has progressed a lot since making his debut in 2010, and is excited to show the organization he has what it takes to be in the Boston rotation.

Read: Sox' Pen Has Been A Nightmare

"I feel excited to be in this position; show them what I got," he said.

Boston will be opposed by right-hander Henderson Alvarez for the Blue Jays, who went 1-3 with a 3.53 ERA in 10 starts as a rookie in 2011.

Monday begins a big stretch for Red Sox, as ten of their next 12 games will be against AL East teams.

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