Colorado @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 24, 2010 ) Boston 13, Colorado 11

The Colorado Rockies make their first trip to Fenway Park since the 2007 World Series when they begin a two-game interleague set with the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday. The Red Sox took the first two games of the Fall Classic that year at home en route to a series sweep of the overmatched Rockies. The teams played at Coors Field in 2010, with Colorado taking two of three.

Boston is coming off a 1-3 trip to Detroit, which ended in controversy Sunday when a call that went against the Sox led to a late go-ahead run for the Tigers. Still, the Sox begin a nine-game homestand in first place in the incredibly competitive American League East that sees all five teams above .500. The Rockies won the last two games of a four-game series in Washington over the weekend.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Juan Nicasio (4-3, 4.78 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Ryan Dempster (4-8, 4.23)

Nicasio deserves some credit for his consistency. He has lasted at least five innings, but no more than six, in nine straight starts. The 26-year-old has also shown similar results in his interleague contests, first allowing a pair of runs in five innings against the New York Yankees on May 8 and then giving up two earned runs in five frames at Toronto on Wednesday.

Since a swoon in May, in part due to a slight groin issue, Dempster has posted five straight quality starts while recording an ERA of 3.48. However, he is just 2-3 in that stretch due to some inconsistent run support -- three runs in the three losses and 27 in the wins. The veteran has a career 6.96 ERA against the Rockies, but it is just 3.82 when he faces them outside of Coors Field.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies OF Michael Cuddyer has hit in 21 straight games, tied for the third-longest run in franchise history, and has reached base in 40 consecutive contests.

2. The last time these teams met, Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia hit three home runs, including a two-run shot in the top of the 10th that proved to be the game-winner.

3. Colorado LF Carlos Gonzalez left Sunday's game at Washington with leg cramps but is expected to play. He is 5-for-9 with a home run and two doubles against Dempster.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Rockies 4