Cleveland @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 7, 2016 ) Boston 0, Cleveland 0

The Cleveland Indians have ignited their offense just in time to test their mettle against the highest scoring team in baseball. After erupting for 43 runs in a home-and-home sweep of in-state rival Cincinnati, Cleveland continues its nine-game road trip when it opens a three-game set versus the Boston Red Sox on Friday.

Rajai Davis answered an 0-for-18 stretch with a dominating four-game series versus the Reds, highlighted by a pair of RBI doubles in Thursday's 7-2 triumph. The 35-year-old speedster finished the series by going 9-for-16 (.563) with 10 runs scored and nine RBIs, but is just 3-for-16 (.188) in his career against struggling Friday starter Clay Buchholz. Boston amassed a staggering 73 runs en route to winning six contests in its seven-game homestand before dropping two of three against reigning World Series champion Kansas City. Jackie Bradley Jr. continued his torrid stretch by running his hitting streak to a career-best 24 games, but is just 2-for-11 (.182) versus Friday starter Corey Kluber.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (2-5, 4.30) vs. Red Sox RH Clay Buchholz (2-3, 6.11)

Kluber has routinely sputtered versus Boston, falling to 1-3 in his career in the season opener after allowing four runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 6-2 setback. The 30-year-old has also struggled in his last two outings, yielding nine runs while issuing six walks in a pair of setbacks. Xander Bogaerts has seen his batting average jump to .339 during his 13-game hitting streak, but is 0-for-8 in his career against Kluber.

With Joe Kelly (shoulder) and Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) expected to return to the fold, Buchholz's time in the starting rotation could be coming to a close. The 31-year-old allowed five runs for the fifth time this season in Saturday's tilt versus Houston and was taken deep twice, raising his total to eight homers in 45 2/3 innings. Buchholz also allowed five runs and three walks in four innings against Cleveland en route to a no-decision on April 6.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston has homered in a franchise high-tying 19 consecutive contests.

2. Cleveland SS Francisco Lindor is 15-for-32 with seven runs scored and six RBIs in his last seven games.

3. Red Sox LF Brock Holt is 0-for-13 in his last four contests.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Indians 5