Red Sox at Rays
The Boston Red Sox have not been in second place in the American League East since March 29, when they were tied with two other teams at 1-1. After opening a three-game series in Tampa Bay with an easy win, the Red Sox can pull even with the second-place Rays with a victory Tuesday.
J.D. Martinez hit a three-run homer in a seven-run third inning and Eduardo Rodriguez spun seven scoreless frames as Boston (55-46) rolled to a 9-4 win Monday, sending Tampa Bay (57-46) to its sixth loss in the last seven games. The Red Sox are 16-4 in their last 20 games on the road and 4-0 at Tropicana Field this year. They will try to stay perfect in the dome behind left-hander Chris Sale, whose inconsistent campaign seemed to turn in a positive direction with a dominant effort his last time out. The Rays, who scored all four of their runs over the final two innings in Monday's loss, counter with Yonny Chirinos.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Chris Sale (4-9, 4.05 ERA) vs. Rays RH Yonny Chirinos (8-5, 3.29)
Prior to dominating the Toronto Blue Jays his last time out with six scoreless innings and 12 strikeouts, Sale had a four-start stretch in which he went 0-2 with a 7.59 ERA. He lost to Tampa Bay at home April 28 after giving up four runs in seven innings while striking out eight. The seven-time All-Star owns a sparkling 1.92 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 65 2/3 career innings at Tropicana Field.
Chirinos lasted at least six innings in seven consecutive starts before being knocked out after five at Yankee Stadium on Thursday. He gave up five runs (four earned) and nine hits in the loss to New York while striking out eight batters for the second straight time. The Venezuela native tossed eight scoreless innings in a win at Fenway Park on June 7 and spun four scoreless in his only prior home matchup against the Red Sox last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tampa Bay C Travis d'Arnaud has 13 RBIs over his last 10 games.
2. Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts has multiple hits in eight of his last 10 contests.
3. Rays 3B Yandy Diaz left in the ninth after fouling a ball off his left foot.