Philadelphia @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( May 23, 2010 ) Boston 8, Philadelphia 3

One would think that John Lackey must be licking his chops right about now.

On one hand, the Boston Red Sox right-hander has won four of five starts at Fenway Park this season.

On the other, the struggling Philadelphia Phillies (31-27) have been shut out an amazing six times since May 22 - and seven times total this season.

Well, there's more to the story when the teams open their three-game series on Friday.

A closer look inside the numbers details that Lackey (6-3, 4.72 ERA) has been far from dominant in his recent outings.

Signed to a five-year, $82.5 million deal in the offseason, Lackey has recorded an inflated 5.60 ERA at Fenway. Not to mention he took the loss in his last outing against the Phillies.

The 31-year-old Texas native permitted four runs and six hits in five innings en route to falling to Philadelphia in May 21. Opponents are also tattooing Lackey to the tune of a .296 batting average - 32 points above his career average.

As for the Red Sox (35-27), they just completed their seven-game road trip with a 4-3 mark. At first glance, it was a pretty solid foray away from Fenway. Then again ...

Boston was blitzed, 11-0, on Wednesday by a Cleveland Indians squad which may not be able to win a seven-game series against Buttermaker's Bad News Bears. On the following night, the Red Sox squandered a five-run lead as Russell Branyan's bloop single in the ninth off closer-for-the-night Daniel Bard gave the Indians an 8-7 victory.

Perhaps this would be a good time to note that Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon is expected to be activated from the bereavement list today, according to the Boston Globe.

Papelbon, who went on the bereavement list Monday and missed Boston's four-game series against Cleveland, has posted a 1-3 mark with 13 saves this season.

In addition, Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis left Thursday's game in the seventh inning with mild back spasms. Should Youkilis be unable to play today, veteran Mike Lowell would get the start.

For its part, Philadelphia will send veteran left-hander Jamie Moyer (6-5, 3.98 ERA) to the mound.

The 47-year-old Moyer recorded both a milestone victory and his second complete game of the season in his last start. Moyer earned his 100th win since turning 40 by allowing two runs and seven hits en route to a 6-2 victory over the surprising San Diego Padres on Saturday.