Cleveland @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 20, 2018 ) Cleveland 5, Boston 4

Greg Allen was called up from the minors less than two weeks ago to help the Cleveland Indians fill the void left behind by Leonys Martin, but he is proving to be much more than just a replacement outfielder. After delivering a tiebreaking two-run homer in the opener of a four-game set against two of the American League's top teams, the 25-year-old rookie will try to extend his hitting streak to 14 games Tuesday when the Indians visit the Boston Red Sox.

Martin was placed on the disabled list on Aug. 9 with what proved to be a life-threatening bacterial infection - an ailment that is expected to keep him out the rest of the season. Allen has hit safely in every game since his promotion and is batting .351 over that span after leading Cleveland (72-52) to a 5-4 victory Monday, enabling the Indians to open up a season-high 13-game advantage over second-place Minnesota in the AL Central while improving to 14-4 in August. The Red Sox (88-38) own the highest-scoring offense in the majors, but they suffered their second straight loss Monday despite nearly doubling up the Indians in hits (13-7). Boston still holds a nine-game edge on the New York Yankees in the AL East and appears to be getting another offensive weapon primed for a promising stretch run, as Xander Bogaerts drove in three runs in the opener and is batting .326 in August.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, STO (Cleveland), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Shane Bieber (6-2, 4.37 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Nathan Eovaldi (5-4, 3.62)

Bieber is unbeaten in his last four starts, although he only has one win to show for it over that time after settling for a second straight no-decision Wednesday at Cincinnati. The 23-year-old rookie is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in three August outings but turned in his worst effort over that stretch against the Reds, giving up three runs over 4 1/3 innings. Bieber will try to remain unbeaten outside of Cleveland (2-0, 4.11 ERA in six road starts) when he faces Boston for the first time.

Eovaldi will be happy to return to Fenway Park - where he has yet to yield a run in 15 innings - after settling for a pair of no-decisions at Baltimore and Philadelphia. The Houston native allowed three runs (one earned) across five innings Wednesday versus the Phillies after surrendering eight runs (four earned) in 2 2/3 frames against the Orioles. Yan Gomes (4-for-8) has enjoyed the most success against Eovaldi, who is 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA in three career games (two starts) versus Cleveland.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Red Sox have lost three straight only once (April 21-24) and are the only team in the majors without a four-game losing streak this season.

2. Cleveland is 16-4 in its last 20 road contests.

3. Boston on Monday fell to 60-10 when it scores first and 64-5 when holding a lead after five innings.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 4, Indians 2