Boston @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 15, 2013 ) Tampa Bay 2, Boston 3

The Boston Red Sox had a disappointing 2-5 homestand and are adding players to the disabled list on a near-daily basis. They will try to pick things up on the road as they kick off a nine-game trip against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. The Red Sox held the best record in baseball before dropping eight of their last 10 and have fallen into third place in the American League East. The Rays have won five straight.

Boston has lost two closers and put catcher David Ross on the seven-day concussion list over the weekend. Shane Victorino, who missed time with a back injury earlier in the season, took a hard hit against the right field wall on Sunday and is dealing with sore ribs. The Red Sox cannot afford to lose Victorino from an already struggling offense. Boston has hit .176 with runners in scoring position in May, down from .310 in April. Tampa Bay has the pitching to take advantage of the Red Sox’s offensive woes and will send undefeated Matt Moore to the mound in the series opener. The Rays have put up 6.6 runs during their winning streak.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH John Lackey (1-3, 2.82 ERA) vs. Rays LH Matt Moore (6-0, 2.14)

Monday’s off-day allows Boston to skip over the most problematic spot in their rotation - the fourth slot - and right to No. 5 Lackey, who has been impressive at times while coming back from Tommy John surgery. The veteran right-hander matched a season high with eight strikeouts last week against Minnesota but was his own worst enemy, as his throwing error led to four unearned runs in a 5-3 setback. Lackey has pitched well against Tampa Bay in the past, owning a 12-6 record with a 4.09 ERA in 19 career starts.

Moore has fought some command issues while being limited to five innings in each of his last two starts, and he has surrendered at least one home run in each of his last five turns. Still, the 23-year-old has been able to limit the damage and hold opponents to two or fewer runs in six of his seven starts. Moore has never beaten Boston, going 0-2 with a 5.87 ERA in three games (two starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays 3B Evan Longoria was named the AL Player of the Week on Monday. He hit .476 with 11 RBIs in the week ending Sunday.

2. Boston DH David Ortiz is in a 1-for-20 slump.

3. Tampa Bay CF Desmond Jennings (groin) has missed three straight games and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Rays 4, Red Sox 2