On the surface, the three-game series that opened Friday night in Fenway Park appears to be a battle for last place in the AL East.

But with the Red Sox, of course, it’s never so simple.

Fresh off a wretched 1-8 trip to the West Coast, the Sox are bound for their first losing season since 1997 and perhaps their worst overall season since an 89-loss debacle in 1992. Worse, they’re still being guided by manager-in-crisis Bobby Valentine, who admitted Wednesday that his first — and possibly, his only — season with the Red Sox has been “miserable.”

Add to that mix the return of the Toronto Blue Jays, led by former Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell, and the series will feature plenty of intrigue.

The Sox wanted to hire Farrell after last season to replace Terry Francona. But Farrell, like Valentine, is under contract through the end of next season, and with a division rival threatening to poach their manager, GM Alex Anthopoulos announced a revised organizational policy that prohibits employees under contract from making lateral moves to other teams. That said, they certainly would part with Farrell if they receive substantial player compensation. And with Farrell leading the Jays to a losing season after going only .500 last year, indications are they may not be as eager to keep him around, especially if he expresses a desire to return to the Red Sox, for whom he served as pitching coach for five seasons (2006-10).

A few weeks ago, Farrell bristled at the notion that he will be courted by the Red Sox.

“My focus is clearly here with the Blue Jays, I’m under contract, obviously,” Farrell told reporters. “I can understand that there can be a natural connection because I’ve worked there in the past, but my focus and my commitment has been and is here, unequivocally.”

That won’t stop the speculation from continuing.

The elephant in the room, of course, is Valentine. Earlier this week, principal owner John Henry said ownership is “resolute” that Valentine will finish the season as manager. But Henry, chairman Tom Werner, president Larry Lucchino and GM Ben Cherington each have stopped short of extending their votes of confidence for Valentine beyond the end of the season. Meanwhile, the Red Sox have lost 24 of their last 34 games entering Friday night and must finish 10-14 to avoid their first 90-loss season since 1966.

“I’d like to play together and show that we’ve got a lot of pride. I think we do,” Valentine said. “I think we’ll grind it out and be a spoiler on the way. That’d be fun, too.”

Not nearly as much fun as it will be for Valentine and Farrell to stare out at one another from opposite dugouts this weekend, the Red Sox’ endangered manager matching wits with his potential successor.

As last-place battles go, it doesn’t get more interesting.

Ortiz may be done

At this point, the Red Sox are bracing for the likelihood that David Ortiz won’t play again this season, according to Valentine. Ortiz missed 35 games with a strained right Achilles, then suffered a setback Aug. 24 and has missed the last 12 games. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection Aug. 27 that, Valentine said, has taken effect. Still, though, Ortiz isn’t ready to resume running. And with the Red Sox having fallen out of the wild-card race, there isn’t much point to rushing Ortiz back to the field, a point Cherington has made during conversations with Valentine.

“I’m not sure that that’s the official word yet,” Valentine said. “Just prepare just in case he’s not going to come back. It’s not really my call. I mean, if he’s healthy and he loves to play the game of baseball, he could always go out there and bat it around a little. I’d hate to jeopardize his career, that’s for sure.”

Lackey’s progress

Eleven months since undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery, John Lackey will face hitters for the first time by throwing live batting practice today at Fenway. Lackey figures to repeat that step at least two more times before he progresses to a game situation. It’s highly unlikely Lackey will pitch for the Red Sox before the end of the season, but he could pitch a few innings in the Florida Instructional League before entering into a relatively normal offseason training program.

“I don’t know if he’s fully recovered, but it sure is close,” Valentine said. “He’s really throwing the ball well. I don’t have (Lackey’s rehab schedule) mapped out yet. I think he might want to get an inning or two. That was the original plan. You’d have to think it’s a couple of weeks away from being able to pitch in a game (in the instructional league).”