Boston @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 11, 2013 ) Boston 3, Tampa Bay 8

The Tampa Bay Rays have pounded Boston Red Sox pitching for eight home runs in the first two games of their series. The Rays will be looking to continue the power surge when they host the Red Sox in the rubber game on Wednesday. Matt Joyce and Evan Longoria have found the seats in each of the first two games and Desmond Jennings went deep twice in Tuesday’s 8-3 triumph.

The series has been contentious from the start, with Boston’s John Lackey hitting Joyce in the back after a home run on Monday and the Rays apparently retaliating by hitting Dustin Pedroia on Tuesday. Alfredo Aceves, who has never been known for having a cool temper, will get the spot start for the Red Sox on Wednesday as both teams try to make it through without any injuries. Boston had a three-game winning streak snapped in Tuesday’s loss and has not dropped a series since losing two of three at the Chicago White Sox from May 20-22.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Alfredo Aceves (2-1, 6.57 ERA) vs. Rays RH Chris Archer (1-1, 4.91)

Franklin Morales was originally scheduled to start on Wednesday but was needed out of the bullpen in Monday’s 14-inning win, forcing Boston to recall Aceves from Triple-A. Aceves had his best major-league start of the season the last time he was summoned, allowing a run and seven hits in six innings to pick up a win over Philadelphia on May 27. The right-hander has never started against Tampa Bay but is 2-1 with a 2.39 ERA in 19 relief appearances totaling 37 2/3 innings.

Archer is a recent callup himself and was dominant in his last turn, allowing a run on two hits in seven innings to beat the Baltimore Orioles. The hard-throwing 24-year-old is 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in three career starts at Tropicana Field, including a win over the Red Sox on Sept. 19, 2012. Archer struck out six and allowed three runs in five innings in that turn.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Red Sox are expected to send RHP Jose De La Torre, who pitched 3 1/3 innings of relief Tuesday, back to Triple-A to clear a spot for Aceves.

2. Tampa Bay had never recorded four or more home runs in back-to-back games in franchise history prior to this series.

3. Boston RHP Clay Buchholz (neck) has been pushed back to Sunday.

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Red Sox 4