Philadelphia @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 24, 2013 ) Boston 7, Philadelphia 6

The Boston Red Sox spent the weekend making dramatic comebacks to run their winning streak to three games. The Philadelphia Phillies, who visit the Red Sox for the start of a two-game interleague series on Monday, are coming off a series loss in Washington. The Red Sox have jumped back into a tie for first place in the American League East with their recent surge, while the Phillies have fallen two games below .500 at 24-26.

Boston scored four runs in the eighth inning to fight off the Cleveland Indians on Saturday and scored four in the ninth to earn a 6-5 victory on Sunday. Those comebacks will be less likely against Philadelphia, which has former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon waiting in the ninth inning. Papelbon, who will be making his first trip back to Fenway Park since signing with the Phillies as a free agent prior to the 2012 season, has not allowed a run in any of his last 17 appearances and has 15 strikeouts against two walks in 18 2/3 total innings.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, WB17 (Philadelphia), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Tyler Cloyd (1-0, 2.70 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Alfredo Aceves (1-1, 8.20)

Cloyd has been strong in two starts since replacing Roy Halladay in Philadelphia's rotation. The 26-year-old has allowed two earned runs in each of his two turns and scattered eight hits over seven innings to pick up the win against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday. Cloyd, who made his major-league debut last August, never has faced an American League lineup.

Aceves is getting a spot start in place of Clay Buchholz, who was scratched due to discomfort near his collarbone. Aceves recently was recalled after spending nearly a month with Triple-A Pawtucket following a disastrous start to the season. The veteran right-hander made three starts in April and was knocked around for 13 runs (12 earned) and 20 hits while walking 10 in 13 1/3 total innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Red Sox took two of three at Philadelphia last season. The Phillies have not played at Fenway Park since 2010, when they dropped two of three.

2. Boston SS Stephen Drew went five straight games without a hit before coming up a home run shy of the cycle on Sunday.

3. Philadelphia 3B Michael Young is 0-for-16 over his last four games. He is a .257 career hitter in 52 games at Fenway Park.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Phillies 2