Boston @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 21, 2011 ) Boston 1, Philadelphia 4

THE STORY: Prior to the start of the season, many publications and television networks came to the same conclusion – that the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies will meet in the World Series. With nearly half of the regular season in the books, both teams are living up to those lofty expectations. Josh Beckett will take the hill for the Red Sox as they open a three-game set against Cliff Lee and the major league-leading Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park. For their part, the Red Sox own the third-best record in the majors and trail the American League East-leading New York Yankees by a half-game.

TV: 7:05 ET, NESN (Boston), WB17 (Philadelphia)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Josh Beckett (6-2, 1.86 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Cliff Lee (8-5, 2.87 ERA).

Beckett, who missed his last start with the flu, was simply magnificent in his previous trip to the mound. The 30-year-old Texan yielded just one hit – a dribbler by Reid Brignac – to record his first complete game since 2009 with a 3-0 triumph over the rival Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. He struck out six, walked none and collected his first shutout since blanking the Kansas City Royals on July 12, 2009. Beckett has enjoyed success against the Phillies, posting an 8-4 career mark in 19 appearances.

After a sluggish start, Lee has flourished this month. The high-priced offseason acquisition has spun consecutive shutouts to up his scoreless streak to 23 innings. The 33-year-old Arkansas native has won four in a row – with a sparkling 0.27 ERA in the process – and six of his last seven. Lee has struggled against the Red Sox, posting a 2-4 career mark with a 4.06 ERA.

ABOUT THE RED SOX (45-32): Adrian Gonzalez had a pair of hits as Boston snapped a four-game losing skid on Sunday with a 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Gonzalez has torched Lee in his career, going 7-for-10 with a homer and three doubles. Taken a step further, the then-San Diego Padres slugger ripped the Phillies to shreds in a four-game series at Citizens Bank Park. Gonzalez went 7-for-16 with three homers and six RBIs. J.D. Drew, who is arguably Public Enemy No. 1 in the City of Brotherly Love, is not expected to be in the lineup against the left-handed Lee on Tuesday. He is nursing an eye injury. Righthander Bobby Jenks will likely be activated prior to Tuesday's game. He has been sidelined since June 8 with a strained back muscle.

ABOUT THE PHILLIES (49-30): Philadelphia took two of three from the Oakland Athletics this past weekend, but used ace Roy Halladay to claim the series finale. With the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner out of the equation for this series, the Phillies will turn to Lee, rookie Vance Worley and Cole Hamels. Hitless in his last 10 at-bats, slugger Ryan Howard will look to right the ship against Beckett. Howard is batting .308 in his career with one homer and six RBIs vs. Beckett. Jimmy Rollins snapped his three-game hitless skid in style. Rollins went 4-for-4 with two runs scored in Philadelphia's 3-1 triumph over Oakland on Sunday. Closer Ryan Madson, who is dealing with numbness in his right hand, is questionable for Tuesday's game.

FINAL PITCH: "I don’t think they’re going to have a parade in Philly.” – Boston manager Terry Francona, who was the skipper of the Phillies from 1997-2000, on his return to the city.