Tampa Bay @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 18, 2018 ) Tampa Bay 2, Boston 5

Injuries to some of their key players can't seem to slow down the Boston Red Sox, who remain on pace to challenge the major-league record for wins in a regular season. The Red Sox will have to turn to their deep roster of pitchers when they try to polish off a three-game sweep of the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.

Ace Chris Sale was scheduled to start the series finale for Boston but instead was placed on the 10-day disabled list for the second time this month with minor shoulder irritation. "I know it's kind of the same thing we had last time," Sale told reporters of the injury. "A little bit less in the pain region and mobility range than last time, so that's a good sign. Just keep chugging along. It's definitely less (discomfort) than it was last time." The Red Sox will turn to Hector Velazquez to begin what likely will be a bullpen game on Sunday while the Rays counter with one of their own, beginning with Diego Castillo. Tampa Bay did American League east-leading Boston a favor by taking two of three from the second-place New York Yankees earlier this week but can't seem to find their way around the Red Sox, who have won 11 of the first 15 meetings between the clubs.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.63 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Hector Velazquez (7-0, 2.77)

Castillo is making his 30th career appearance and first as a starter. The 24-year-old Dominican rookie has not allowed a run over 5 2/3 innings in his last four contests and has registered 37 strikeouts in 34 2/3 frames overall. Castillo tossed a perfect inning of relief in his lone appearance against Boston and is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA on the road this season.

Velazquez made 31 of his 35 appearances this season in relief and is 2-0 with a 3.31 ERA in his four starts. The 29-year-old Mexican tossed a perfect inning at Philadelphia in his last appearance on Wednesday but has worked more than one frame 17 times this year. Velazquez is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in six appearances - one start - against Tampa Bay in 2018.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Red Sox recalled RHP Brandon Workman from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Sale's spot on the roster.

2. Tampa Bay C Jesus Sucre (wrist) has missed the last four games and is day-to-day.

3. Boston RF Mookie Betts went 0-for-4 on Saturday, snapping his 11-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 8, Rays 5