Cleveland @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 21, 2018 ) Cleveland 6, Boston 3

The Boston Red Sox have matched their longest losing streak of the season and will be looking to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat when they host the Cleveland Indians in the third of a four-game series on Wednesday night. Boston dropped a 6-3 decision on Tuesday, marking the first time they've lost three in a row since April 21-24 at Oakland and Toronto.

Melky Cabrera homered for the third consecutive game and Yan Gomes matched his teammate by going 3-for-4 with a solo shot as the Indians improved to 9-1 over their last 10 games. Rookie Greg Allen has hit safely in all 14 games since his recall from Triple-A after collecting two hits and an RBI double in Tuesday's win. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts is 7-for-17 with four doubles and six RBIs over the past five games for Boston and is 3-for-7 lifetime against Cleveland right-hander Carlos Carrasco. The Red Sox will send lefty Brian Johnson to the mound to oppose Carrasco, who is 4-1 with a 1.33 ERA since the All-Star break.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (15-6, 3.33 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Brian Johnson (4-3, 4.00)

Carrasco turned in another superb performance in his last start, blanking Baltimore on three hits over seven innings -- the third time in his last four turns he did not permit an earned run. The 31-year-old improved to 7-1 in nine appearances (eight starts) since returning from the disabled list. J.D. Martinez is 9-for-25 with two homers off Carrasco, who is 1-2 with a 6.83 ERA against the Red Sox.

Johnson ran his winning streak to three straight starts versus Tampa Bay on Friday, giving up three runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings. He had some rocky moments during his previous two victories over Toronto and the New York Yankees, allowing 10 runs on 12 hits, including five home runs, in 12 innings. It will be the first start versus Cleveland for Johnson, who is 2-1 with a 4.66 ERA at home this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Indians LF Michael Brantley has three straight two-hit performances and a four-game RBI streak.

2. Red Sox LF Andrew Benintendi has hit safely in six straight games.

3. Indians DH Edwin Encarnacion (hand) could come off the disabled list for the series finale.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Red Sox 3