Cleveland @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 22, 2018 ) Cleveland 4, Boston 10

After successfully preventing a season-high fourth straight setback, the Boston Red Sox bid to avert their first series loss in over two months on Thursday afternoon when they play the finale of their four-game set against the visiting Cleveland Indians (73-53). Xander Bogaerts belted a pair of homers in Wednesday's 10-4 romp as Boston (89-39) ended its second three-game skid of the season.

Bogaerts improved to 5-for-14 with six RBIs in the series and 18-for-55 with 10 extra-base hits (six doubles, triple, three homers) and 15 RBIs in August. Andrew Benintendi had a three-run double to extend his hitting streak to seven games, during which he has scored five times. While the Red Sox own a comfortable nine-game advantage over second-place New York in the American League East, AL Central-leading Cleveland fell for just the second time in 11 outings. Edwin Encarnacion returned from the disabled list to belt a pair of two-run homers on Wednesday heading into a tilt versus David Price, against whom he has four homers among his 12 career hits.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Adam Plutko (4-3, 4.62 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH David Price (13-6, 3.69)

Plutko settled for a hard-luck loss on Saturday after allowing three runs on as many hits over seven innings of a 4-2 setback versus Baltimore. The 26-year-old surrendered a three-run homer to Jonathan Villar in the third inning, marking the 12th time that he's been taken deep in 10 appearances (48 2/3 innings). "There's adjustments to be made," said Plutko, who is in his sixth stint with the Indians this season. "The pitch I threw to Villar, maybe I get a popup in Triple-A. Here it goes for a home run."

Price improved to 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his last six starts on Saturday after yielding two runs on five hits over seven innings of a 5-2 triumph against Tampa Bay. The 32-year-old looks to keep the good times rolling versus Cleveland, against which he owns a sparkling 10-2 mark with a 2.24 ERA in his career. Yan Gomes (1-for-18, eight strikeouts) has struggled mightily against Price in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston 1B Mitch Moreland has driven in 18 runs in his last 17 games to reside one shy of 500 for his career.

2. Cleveland 3B Jose Ramirez is 18-for-45 with five doubles over his last 11 road contests.

3. Red Sox DH-OF J.D. Martinez has hit safely in his last 14 games versus the Indians.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, Red Sox 3