Milwaukee @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 5, 2014 ) Milwaukee 7, Boston 6

After losing the first two games of their series with the Milwaukee Brewers, the Boston Red Sox need ace Jon Lester to come through Sunday. Lester and the Red Sox hope to salvage the finale of their three-game set after allowing 13 runs over the first two games. The Brewers' bats are coming around, but they likely will be without slugger Ryan Braun (thumb) for the second straight game.

The decisive hit for Milwaukee on Saturday was Logan Schafer's 11th-inning double which plated Khris Davis, who had four hits, including a one-out double in the 11th. The Brewers finished with 19 hits but also struck out 18 times on a night when temperatures began to dip into the 30s. "It was freezing," Schafer said. "We were all really cold so we said, 'Hey, let's hurry up so we can go home."

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Yovani Gallardo (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Jon Lester (0-1, 2.57)

Gallardo pitched six scoreless innings against the Braves in Milwaukee's season opener after closing 2013 in dominant fashion. In August and September last season, Gallardo posted a 4-1 record with a 2.40 ERA. The 28-year-old Mexican did not fare well in his only prior start against Boston, allowing eight runs (five earned) in three innings back on June 19, 2011.

Lester allowed two runs in seven innings on Opening Day and posted an impressive 8-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio but ended up as the hard-luck loser against Baltimore. "I felt pretty good. I was missing by a little in the first couple of innings, but otherwise, good," Lester told reporters after the game. Lester was 7-1 with a 3.09 ERA at Fenway Park last season, compared to his 8-7 mark with a 4.21 ERA away from home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Brewers 3B Aramis Ramirez went 3-for-6 on Saturday and has notched multiple hits in four of his team's five games.

2. Prior to the last two games, Boston had won 12 of its previous 14 matchups with Milwaukee.

3. Several Red Sox players are struggling offensively, but none more than Daniel Nava (2-for-22).

PREDICTION: Red Sox 4, Brewers 0