Tampa Bay @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 16, 2011 ) Tampa Bay 6, Boston 2

THE STORY: After splitting a doubleheader Tuesday, the Boston Red Sox conclude their brief three-game homestand Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays alone in second place in the American League East. The Red Sox have lost four of their last six games and trail the Yankees by one-half game. Boston sends John Lackey, who is riding a personal six-game winning streak, to the mound against Tampa Bay’s David Price. The Red Sox may be without David Ortiz, who is questionable with a sore heel and could be headed to the disabled list.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, SunSports (Tampa Bay), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH David Price (10-10, 3.76 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH John Lackey (11-8, 6.15).

Price beat CC Sabathia and the Yankees 5-1 in his last outing, allowing one run on six hits in eight strong innings. He is 5-3 career against Boston with a 3.55 ERA, including 2-1 this season. Price continues to be one of the league’s best pitchers but hasn’t had the offensive support nor the consistency to approach Cy Young status this season. Lackey continues to pile up the victories despite his lofty ERA. The righthander has endured a trying season, but each time he seemed destined to lose his spot in the rotation, he responded. Lackey has always had a lot of success against Tampa Bay, going 12-4 with a 3.80 ERA in his career.

ABOUT THE RED SOX (74-47): Boston played Tuesday’s doubleheader without Ortiz, who has bursitis in his right heel, and Marco Scutaro (back). Jacoby Ellsbury homered in both games. The Red Sox are the only team in the majors with four different players with at least 70 RBIs this season, including 78 by Ellsbury from the leadoff spot. The Rays, meanwhile, do not have anyone with 70 RBIs. After hitting nine home runs during the month of May, Adrian Gonzalez has hit eight since and two since the beginning of July. Jonathan Papelbon has coverted his last 23 save chances. The Red Sox embark on an eight-game road trip through Kansas City and Texas following this three-game homestand, which will be played in about 27 hours.

ABOUT THE RAYS (65-56): The Rays have won nine of their last 13 games at Fenway Park, going back to the beginning of the 2010 season. Ben Zobrist leads the majors with 38 doubles and had three hits in the 6-2 victory in the nightcap. James Shields allowed three hits in the first game, but lost 3-1. In the second game, Jeff Niemann also held the high-powered Sox to three hits. Niemann is on a seven-game winning streak. Kyle Farnsworth is the only pitcher in the American League with 20-plus saves and an ERA less than 2.00.

FINAL PITCH: Tampa Bay’s bullpen is well-rested. The Rays didn’t play on Sunday or Monday and got complete games from both starters Tuesday.