Indians at Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians expected to be at or near the top of their respective divisions around Memorial Day, but both are lagging behind. The Red Sox will try to take advantage of the slumping Indians when they host the opener of a three-game series on Monday.
Boston, which avoided a three-game sweep at Houston with a 4-1 win on Sunday, enters the final week of May 6 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees in the American League East with a four-game series in the Bronx looming next weekend. The Red Sox grabbed the win on Sunday behind a two-hit day from third baseman Rafael Devers, who homered for the fourth time in the last six games and lifted his team-best batting average to .330. Cleveland dropped six of its last seven games and finished off a frustrating 11-game homestand with a 6-3 loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday that dropped it to 10 games behind the surprising Minnesota Twins in the AL Central. The Indians will try not to lose any more ground behind right-hander Jefry Rodriguez on Monday while Boston sends righty Rick Porcello to the mound.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, STO (Cleveland), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Jefry Rodriguez (1-4, 4.08 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (3-4, 4.45)
Rodriguez is coming off his roughest start of the young season after allowing the Oakland Athletics five runs - four earned - on seven hits and a season-high four walks in a season-low four innings. The 25-year-old Dominican worked at least six innings in each of his previous four outings. Rodriguez, who received a total three runs of support in his four losses, is making his first career appearance against Boston.
Porcello turned in a quality start for the fifth time in his last six outings when he held the Toronto Blue Jays to one run on three hits in six innings Wednesday but was held out of the decision after watching the bullpen squander a lead. The New Jersey native was pulled after 80 pitches against the Blue Jays and did not walk a batter while striking out four. Porcello made a pair of starts against Cleveland last season and went 0-1 while allowing a total of nine runs - eight earned - and 14 hits in 12 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Red Sox LHP David Price (illness) left his start after 15 pitches on Saturday and could be moved up in the rotation to start Tuesday or Wednesday.
2. Cleveland 3B Jose Ramirez went 0-for-3 with a strikeout on Sunday, dropping his batting average to .197.
3. Boston UTL Brock Holt (eye, shoulder) is expected to be activated off the IL on Monday.