Boston @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( May 16, 2013 ) Boston 4, Tampa Bay 3

The Boston Red Sox have opened a 1 1/2-game lead on the rest of the field in the American League East, with the Tampa Bay Rays trailing by four games. The Rays will be looking to make up some of that ground when they host the Red Sox in the opener of a three-game series on Monday. Tampa Bay ended May with a flourish but has not been able to string together more than two consecutive wins in June.

Tampa Bay had a chance to complete a sweep of the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday but fell behind 9-1 before suffering a 10-7 setback. The Rays largely held one of the league's better offenses in check during the first two games of that series and will need to turn a similar trick against Boston. The Red Sox, who lead the majors in runs, piled up 22 while taking two of three from the Los Angeles Angels over the weekend.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH John Lackey (3-5, 2.79 ERA) vs. Rays RH Alex Cobb (6-2, 2.39)

Lackey has posted four straight quality starts but has not gotten enough run support to win either of the last two. The right-hander allowed a run and five hits over six innings on Wednesday but ended up without a decision against the Texas Rangers. Lackey endured his worst start of the season at Tampa Bay on May 14, when he was knocked around for five runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 frames to suffer a loss.

Cobb, who quietly has become one of the best starters in the AL, went 7 2/3 scoreless innings at Detroit on Wednesday for his fourth straight outing with two or fewer earned runs allowed. The Boston native has faced his hometown team twice this season and has gone 0-1 with a 2.77 ERA. The last one was the better of the two, with Cobb holding the Red Sox to one run and three hits over 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Red Sox have taken five of the first six meetings with the Rays, including two of three at Tampa Bay from May 14-16.

2. Rays LHP David Price (triceps) is expected to throw again Monday after coming through his first bullpen session on Friday without pain.

3. Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia and 3B Jose Iglesias have each hit safely in 13 straight games.

PREDICTION: Rays 4, Red Sox 3