Boston @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 24, 2013 ) Oakland 5, Boston 6

The Boston Red Sox’s offense has fully recovered from a drought that led to a three-game slide early in their road trip. Now riding a three-game winning streak, the Red Sox will try to finish up their trip strong when they open a three-game series at the Oakland Athletics on Friday. The Athletics, who own the second-best record in the American League behind Boston, have won 10 of their last 14 games.

Oakland’s pitching staff has been dominant of late, leading the team to two wins in three games at Pittsburgh despite the offense totaling four runs in the series. That staff will need to be in top form against the Red Sox, who lead the majors in runs scored and have piled up 30 runs in the last three games. David Ortiz led that charge and went 8-for-13 with seven runs scored in four games at Seattle.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), Comcast SportsNet California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH John Lackey (6-6, 2.80 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Jarrod Parker (6-6, 4.04)

Lackey was the tough-luck loser on Sunday at Los Angeles, allowing two runs while striking out nine in seven innings as Boston suffered a 3-0 setback. The veteran right-hander has surrendered two or fewer runs in each of his last five starts and has not walked more than one batter in any of those turns. Lackey has a long track record against the Athletics from his time in the AL West and is 8-5 with a 2.85 ERA in 17 career starts at Oakland.

Parker has not lost since May 22 and has not allowed more than three runs in an outing since May 6. The 24-year-old exited a start on June 29 with hamstring tightness but returned to the rotation on Saturday at Kansas City and held the Royals to three runs (two earned) over 6 1/3 innings. Parker has faced Boston twice in his young career and has gone 2-0 while surrendering a total of two runs on 10 hits in 13 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox CF Jacoby Ellsbury has hit safely in 19 straight games and is batting .413 during the streak.

2. Oakland has won five straight series.

3. Boston has yet to announce a starter for Sunday’s series finale. Allen Webster, who had been occupying that spot in the rotation, was sent to the minors on Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Athletics 2