Boston @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( May 13, 2012 ) Cleveland 1, Boston 12

Pitching is critical in the major leagues - and there are few better examples of that than the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians, who are languishing back in the pack in the American League due to the failures of their respective starting rotations. While the Red Sox remain on the periphery of the wild card picture, the Indians' playoff hopes took a major hit due to an 11-game losing streak that was finally halted with Wednesday's victory against the Minnesota Twins.

The Red Sox kick off a 10-game road trip Thursday with four games at Cleveland. They dropped the final two games against Texas to fall to 2-6 in August, allowing a total of 46 runs in that stretch. Boston's woes pale in comparison to the Indians, who had allowed at least five runs in each of the 11 consecutive losses before Tuesday's 6-2 win. Cleveland's rotation was an abysmal 0-8 with a 10.44 ERA during the 11-game skid.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), Sports Time Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Felix Doubront (10-5, 4.56 ERA) vs. Indians RH Ubaldo Jimenez (8-11, 5.29)

Doubront struggled with his control last time out against Minnesota and failed to protect a four-run lead, lasting only five innings and allowing five runs on eight hits for his second straight no-decision. He has walked 15 in 22 1/3 innings over his last four starts, but has been solid away from home with a 5-2 record and a 3.57 ERA in 10 starts. He gave up one run in six innings in beating the Indians on May 12.

Jimenez has lost four consecutive decisions - all on the road - and has surrendered at least five runs in each defeat. He was knocked around for six runs in 5 1/3 innings at Detroit last time out. Since he was acquired from the Colorado Rockies at last year's trading deadline, Jimenez has gone 12-15 in 33 starts. He faced the Red Sox in Boston on May 11 and was battered for seven runs in 4 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox 1B Adrian Gonzalez has 10 RBIs during an eight-game hitting streak.

2. The Indians were outscored 95-36 during the 11-game losing skid.

3. Red Sox 3B Will Middlebrooks joined Ted Williams as the only Boston rookies to hit 15 homers in their first 73 games of the season.