Boston @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( Apr 17, 2013 ) Boston 6, Cleveland 3
Amid distractions stemming from Monday’s horrific bombings back home, the Boston Red Sox’s on-field results have not changed. They’ll try to sweep their second straight series and collect their sixth consecutive win overall Thursday when they finish a three-game road set against the Cleveland Indians. After roughing up Ubaldo Jimenez for seven runs in the second inning Tuesday, Boston reached previously unbeaten Justin Masterson for three first-inning runs Wednesday.
Cleveland, which has played 10 of its first 13 games against the American League East, fell to 3-7 against the division with its latest loss. The Indians’ offense deserves much of the blame for their fifth loss in seven games, scoring three runs or fewer in five of the games over that stretch. Changing that trend could be difficult in the series finale without Jason Kipnis (elbow) and leadoff hitter Michael Bourn (finger). Kipnis has not played since Friday while Bourn was placed on the disabled list Wednesday.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Jon Lester (2-0, 1.42 ERA) vs. Indians RH Zach McAllister (1-1, 2.19)
Lester appears to have regained the form he showed from 2008-2011 when he won at least 15 games and carried a sub-3.50 ERA each season. Although the two-time All-Star did not factor into the decision in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Tampa Bay, he held the Rays to one run and five hits over seven innings. Lester, who is hoping to become the second three-game winner on the Red Sox staff, has a 5-1 record and 3.34 ERA in 11 career starts against the Indians.
Coming off seven days of rest between starts, McAllister collected his second win over his last 11 outings in Saturday’s 9-4 home victory against the Chicago White Sox. The right-hander yielded three runs (one earned) and five hits in 6 1/3 innings against the White Sox, but hasn’t fared particularly well in 17 career starts at Progressive Field, going 5-6 with a 4.95 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. However, he has been much better against the Red Sox in his two career outings against them (1-1, 3.60, 0.73).
WALK-OFFS
1. The Red Sox have scored 14 runs in each of Lester’s last two starts against the Indians.
2. McAllister is the only Cleveland starter beside Masterson to account for a win.
3. Boston DH David Ortiz (Achilles) went 0-for-4 with a strikeout at Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday, and is expected to be in the lineup for Friday’s series opener at home against Kansas City.
PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Indians 2