Boston @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 20, 2010 ) LA Dodgers 0, Boston 2

The Boston Red Sox visit the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday in the opener of a three-game interleague series - nearly one year removed from the blockbuster trade that reshaped both organizations. Boston sent Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Nick Punto to Los Angeles in a house-cleaning maneuver that has helped reverse the fortunes for the Red Sox, who were sinking to the cellar in the American League East at the time. Boston is coming off a 12-1 drubbing of San Francisco on Wednesday that allowed it to move one game ahead of secon-place Tampa Bay in the division.

While the Red Sox have been treading water by splitting their last 34 games, the Dodgers continue to pile up the victories. Their 6-0 triumph in Miami on Thursday was the club's 22nd win in its last 25 road games and gave Los Angeles a remarkable 28-5 mark since the All-Star break - good enough to open a 9 1/2-game advantage in the National League West. Boston swept three games from the Dodgers at Fenway Park in 2010.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH John Lackey (8-10, 3.22 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Ricky Nolasco (9-9, 3.60)

Lackey dominated the Dodgers while facing them in annual interleague matchups as a member of the Los Angeles Angels. He is 5-2 with a 1.89 ERA in 10 career outings (nine starts) versus the Dodgers. The 34-year-old is 1-4 with a 4.35 ERA since the All-Star break.

Nolasco is 3-0 with a 2.82 ERA in four starts this month and has a 2.98 mark since joining the Dodgers in a trade with Miami on July 6. However, he has lasted at least six innings in just three of his eight starts with Los Angeles and got through seven frames only once - his Dodgers debut July 9. Nolasco has allowed 14 runs (13 earned) in only 14 1/3 innings in three career outings against Boston.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers LF Carl Crawford is 21-for-45 with a 1.178 OPS in his career against Lackey.

2. Los Angeles has won six straight home games and 10 of its last 11.

3. Red Sox DH David Ortiz left Wednesday's game with tightness in his back. He is considered day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 4, Red Sox 3