Cleveland @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 17, 2015 ) Cleveland 8, Boston 2

The same Boston offense that was in such fine form for the first three games of manager John Farrell’s absence was nowhere to be found when former Red Sox manager Terry Francona brought his Cleveland Indians to town. Boston will try to return to its high-scoring ways on Tuesday when the Red Sox continue their three-game home set against the Indians in a battle of two of the American League’s three last-place teams.

Boston (52-66) torched Seattle for 45 runs – the most by a team in a three-game series since 2000 – on 60 hits over the weekend while taking two of three to open a 10-game homestand after Farrell was diagnosed with a “highly treatable” form of lymphoma and placed on medical leave. The Red Sox ran out of steam on Monday, however, managing only six hits en route to an 8-2 loss. The Indians (55-62) had dropped three of their previous four entering the opener, but defeated Boston for the sixth time in eight tries and can secure a series win at Fenway Park for the first time since 2005 with another victory on Tuesday or Wednesday. Trevor Bauer will attempt to prolong an impressive stretch of strong performances from Cleveland’s rotation, which has allowed two runs or fewer in seven of its last eight tries.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Trevor Bauer (9-9, 4.35 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodriguez (6-5, 4.83)
Bauer lost for the fourth time in his last five decisions on Thursday, surrendering six runs on seven hits and a pair of walks over 3 1/3 innings at home against the New York Yankees. The 24-year-old UCLA product has been much sharper on the road this season, going 5-3 with a 2.35 ERA in 10 away outings (as opposed to 4-6, 6.07 in 13 turns in Cleveland). Alejandro De Aza (1-for-5) is one of only two Red Sox players to face Bauer, who will oppose Boston for the first time in his career.
Rodriguez was pummeled for eight runs on nine hits in Wednesday’s 14-6 loss at Miami, marking the fourth time in 14 starts the rookie has been charged with at least six runs. The 22-year-old Venezuelan has been quite effective in his other 10 outings, going 6-1 with a 1.71 ERA while allowing no more than three runs. Rodriguez is 5-1 with a 1.75 ERA in eight starts at night and will square off against the Indians for the first time in his career.

WALK-OFFS
1. Red Sox OF Jackie Bradley Jr. went 0-for-1 with two walks on Monday, but is 14-of-28 (including 10 extra-base hits) with 12 runs and 13 RBIs over his last seven contests.
2. Francona suggested that Indians 2B Jason Kipnis, who has been sidelined since August 1 due to shoulder inflammation, could be activated from the disabled list on Tuesday.
3. Boston LF Hanley Ramirez (bruised left foot) returned from a six-game absence to go 1-for-3 with a walk in the opener while Cleveland LF Michael Brantley (sore left shoulder) went 2-for-5 after missing three straight games.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Indians 3