Arizona @ Boston preview
Fenway Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 3, 2013 ) Arizona 2, Boston 5
Jacoby Ellsbury looks to continue a pair of streaks on Sunday as the Boston Red Sox vie for an interleague series victory against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks. Ellsbury had an RBI single in Saturday's 5-2 triumph to extend his hitting streak to nine games. The speedy star is batting .317 during that stretch - as well as .459 during his 14-game hitting streak in interleague play.
Boston is vying for its seventh win in nine games and attempting to increase its one-game lead over Tampa Bay in the American League East on Sunday. The Red Sox would be wise to keep an eye on Paul Goldschmidt, who has homered in both contests of the series and five of his last nine games. While the slugger is heating up, the rest of the team is not as the Diamondbacks have dropped five of seven to fall 4 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, TBS, NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Brandon McCarthy (2-4, 5.00 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Felix Doubront (7-5, 3.77)
Sidelined since June 1 with right shoulder inflammation, McCarthy looks to get back on track Sunday. The 30-year-old has split six decisions against the Red Sox despite allowing 20 runs in 37 1/3 innings. McCarthy does well keeping the ball in the yard, permitting just seven homers in 66 2/3 frames this season.
Doubront suffered his second straight setback despite yielding only two runs in five innings against Tampa Bay on Monday. The two losses dropped the 25-year-old Venezuelan to 3-3 at home this season. Doubront hasn't allowed a homer in his last four outings and has served up just eight in 117 frames this year.
WALK-OFFS
1. Boston SS Stephen Drew, who delivered two singles on Saturday, has seven hits in his last four contests.
2. Arizona 2B Aaron Hill registered his fifth multi-hit performance in seven games by going 2-for-4 on Saturday.
3. Red Sox closer Koji Uehara, who notched the save on Saturday, has 17 strikeouts against one walk in 11 consecutive scoreless appearances.
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 4, Red Sox 3