Los Angeles @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 27, 2018 ) LA Angels 6, Boston 9

The Boston Red Sox haven't been shy about flexing their offensive muscle against the Los Angeles Angels, although they temporarily let their guard down to see an early six-run lead go by the boards on Wednesday. The Red Sox (54-27) re-ignited their offense to win for the fifth time in as many meetings with the Angels (41-40) heading into Thursday's series finale at Fenway Park in Boston.

J.D. Martinez went deep for the second straight outing to give Boston seven homers in the series before Rafael Devers capped a three-hit performance with the go-ahead RBI double in the seventh inning of Wednesday's 9-6 triumph. Martinez is 13-for-26 with three homers, nine RBIs and 10 runs scored during his six-game hitting streak while improving to 12-for-21 with three blasts against Los Angeles this season. The Angels, who have been decidedly outscored (45-10) and out-hit (69-30) by the Red Sox this season, have dropped five in a row and 12 of 16 to plummet to just one game over .500. Andrelton Simmons has answered a dismal 2-for-27 stretch by going 8-for-20 with three runs scored during his five-game hitting streak for Los Angeles.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS West (Los Angeles), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jaime Barria (5-3, 3.40 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Brian Johnson (1-2, 4.50)

Barria saw his winless stretch extend to three starts on Saturday despite allowing one run on four hits over five innings versus Toronto. The 21-year-old rookie didn't help himself with a season-high four walks to drive up his pitch count while the homer he surrendered was his eighth in his last five trips to the mound. Barria will be receiving his first look at Boston while making his 11th career start.

Johnson will make his first start since April 2 with Steven Wright ushered to the disabled list as he deals with left knee inflammation. The 27-year-old Johnson scattered four hits over 2 2/3 scoreless innings in Boston's wild 14-10 victory versus Seattle on Friday. Johnson also had a scoreless outing against the Angels on April 17, permitting one hit over three frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Los Angeles CF Mike Trout is riding a five-game hitting streak.

2. Red Sox CF Jackie Bradley Jr. is 8-for-18 with two homers and six RBIs against the Angels this season.

3. Los Angeles INF Zack Cozart received a second opinion on his ailing shoulder and will undergo surgery in the near future, the team announced Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 4, Angels 3