Philadelphia @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( May 27, 2013 ) Philadelphia 3, Boston 9

Cliff Lee aims to produce another strong outing when the Philadelphia Phillies visit the Boston Red Sox in the second of four consecutive meetings between the teams. Lee tossed a three-hitter against the Miami Marlins in his last start for his first shutout since 2011. He has allowed two runs or fewer seven times already this season. Boston posted a 9-3 victory on Monday for its fourth straight win and 10th in 13 games.

The Red Sox racked up 15 hits in the opener to move one game ahead of the New York Yankees in the American League East. Boston has outscored the opponents 30-13 during its winning streak. Jacoby Ellsbury is 5-for-10 over the last two games after having three hits on Monday. Philadelphia's Ryan Howard continues to be bothered by his left knee and isn’t swinging the bat with the same torque as he normally does. Howard has just six homers, with the most recent one coming on May 7. Domonic Brown is Philadelphia’s leader as he belted his 10th in Monday’s loss. Michael Young is hitless in 21 at-bats over the last five games. After Tuesday’s contest, the scene shifts to the City of Brotherly Love for two games.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN (Philadelphia), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cliff Lee (5-2, 2.48 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Ryan Dempster (2-5, 4.69)

Lee is 3-0 over his last four outings and has given up four runs in 31 innings during the stretch. He has walked fewer than three batters in nine of his 10 starts. Lee is one victory away from matching his total from last season, when he compiled a 6-9 record. He is 3-5 with a 3.81 ERA in 12 career starts against Boston.

Dempster has lost three straight decisions since defeating the Toronto Blue Jays on May 2. He has allowed 15 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings over his last three turns, including four runs and five hits in three frames against the Cleveland Indians on May 23. Dempster, who has been dealing with groin issues of late, is 5-5 with a 5.27 ERA in 24 career appearances (17 starts) against Philadelphia.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox RHP Clay Buchholz (shoulder/collarbone) could start as soon as Thursday after being scratched from Monday’s start.

2. Dempster will dodge a bullet Tuesday as Phillies 2B Chase Utley, who is 8-for-12 lifetime with a homer and four walks against him, is on the disabled list with a strained oblique.

3. Boston OF Jonny Gomes is 2-for-29 against Lee.

PREDICTION: Phillies 4, Red Sox 3