The Boston Red Sox (5-4) will be going for their fourth consecutive win when they face the Tampa Bay Rays (9-0) in the first game of their four-game series on Monday night.
Nick Pivetta, 0-1, 1.80 ERA, will get the start for the Red Sox. The Rays will counter with Josh Fleming, 0-0, 15.00 ERA.
Boston and Tampa Bay split their last 10 meetings.
The Red Sox followed up their three-game losing streak by winning their last three games. They will try to keep the momentum going with a win over the Rays, which will give them their sixth win in their last nine games.
Boston is averaging 6.88 runs per game. Their .263 batting average is 10th in the league. Their .342 on base percentage is also 10th, while their .484 slugging percentage is third.
Adam Duvall has been the big bat for the Red Sox. He leads the team with a .455 batting average, four home runs, and 14 RBI.
Boston’s pitching hasn’t been good, with the team giving up 5.75 runs per game. Opponents have a .261 batting average against the Red Sox, which is 19th in the league. Their 5.38 ERA is 25th, while their 1.50 WHIP is 24th.
In his last start, Pivett a gave up three hits and one earned run in five innings, but the team lost to Pittsburgh 4-1. They will need another solid effort from him if they want to get the win.