Tampa Bay @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( May 25, 2014 ) Boston 5, Tampa Bay 8

The Boston Red Sox last played the Tampa Bay Rays five days ago, but the Red Sox look more like the defending World Series champions than they did last weekend. Boston hosts the series opener Friday having won four in a row after being swept by the Rays to extend their losing streak to 10 games - their longest in 20 years. Tampa Bay sends ace David Price to the mound, who looks to rebound after allowing five earned runs in each of his past two starts – including Saturday against Boston when he gave up five runs in the first inning before six hitless innings.

The Rays were unable to capitalize on the emotional sweep of Boston – which included a 15-inning victory and a benches-clearing altercation – in losing three in a row at American League East leader Toronto. Tampa Bay has scored 27 runs in its past five games after plating just 22 in its previous 10 contests. Boston relievers have fired 13 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings and the Red Sox have scored 28 runs in their past six contests, sweeping a four-game set from Atlanta with three runs in the final two innings Thursday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH David Price (4-4, 4.42 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Brandon Workman (0-0, 3.18)

Price leads the American League in strikeouts (84), but also has surrendered the most hits in the league (83). He has won just once in his past six starts despite striking out seven or more hitters five times, including 12 in a complete-game victory May 13 at Seattle. Price is 10-6 lifetime against the Red Sox with a 3.09 ERA in 21 starts.

Workman pitched well against Tampa Bay in his first start of the season Sunday, allowing three runs on five hits in five innings. He made three relief appearances in April, giving up one run on four hits with one walk and seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. Workman is 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA in two career starts against the Rays, and will make his fifth career start Friday.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rays activated second baseman Ben Zobrist, out since May 14 with a dislocated left thumb, from the disabled list Thursday.

2. Boston DH David Ortiz is expected to play after being scratched from Thursday’s lineup with right calf soreness.

3. Boston C A.J. Pierzynski is hitting .400 during his eight-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Red Sox 4