Cleveland @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 1, 2011 ) Cleveland 9, Boston 6

THE STORY: With Clay Buchholz possibly finished for the season, the Red Sox have very few reliable starters left for the stretch run. One of them - Josh Beckett - starts Tuesday night in the second of a four-game series against the visiting Cleveland Indians. Boston’s Cy Young candidate has allowed only 13 runs this season at home and will oppose lefthander David Huff. Cleveland hit four home runs Monday night to win the series opener.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians LH David Huff (1-1, 0.71 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Josh Beckett (9-4, 2.17).

After being recalled from Triple A Columbus recently, Huff has pitched well in two starts. In his last outing, he lost to the Angels after giving up two runs - one earned - in 5 2/3 innings. In his first start, he beat Minnesota as he held them scoreless for seven innings on five hits. Huff is 0-2 against Boston with a solid 2.38 ERA. Beckett had one head-scratching inning in his 4-3 loss to the Royals in his last start. After cruising through the first three innings, he was tagged for four runs in the fourth inning after walking the first two batters. There was a moment in the inning when it seemed he may not have been healthy, but went back to being his dominant self once again. Beckett, however, has not fared well against Cleveland, posting a 4-5 career mark and a 5.04 ERA.

ABOUT THE RED SOX (66-41): Boston has been relying heavily on its major-league leading offense during its torrid stretch. In the same time, its starting pitching has struggled but its bullpen has been brilliant. Daniel Bard’s scoreless streak of 26 1/3 innings over 25 appearances, however, came to an end Monday night when Asdrubal Cabrera hit a two-run homer off the reliever. Bard is 0-3 with a 16.45 ERA against Cleveland this season. Boston hit two home runs and pounded out 13 hits, but it got no pitching in its 9-6 loss. The Sox are 14-13 against the American League Central this season. Adrian Gonzalez has an 11-game hitting streak, including seven multi-hit games.

ABOUT THE INDIANS (54-52): Cleveland is 5-2 against Boston this season. Cabrera hit two homers Monday, the second multi-homer game of the season for the rising star. He is 8-for-13 in his last four games. Newly acquired starter Ubaldo Jiminez is scheduled to make his Cleveland debut on Friday night, but that could be moved up as Carlos Carrasco was suspended six games for throwing at Kansas City's Billy Butler in his last start. Carrasco could appeal the suspension. Cleveland has lost eight of its last 12.

FINAL PITCH: Dustin Pedroia, who will be an easy choice for the AL Player of the Month for July, led the league in batting average (.411), on-base percentage (.465) and slugging percentage (.723) last month. He went 2-for-5 on Monday.