Red Sox Series Preview: R2 Vs. Athletics

May 31, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt (21) high fives center fielder Billy Burns (1) after batting him in on a two run home run against the New York Yankees during the sixth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Athletics’ Key Players To Watch:

• Even though his batting average was only .250 in the last seven games, catcher Stephen Vogt led the team with six RBIs. His .370 on-base percentage made up for the lack of hits, in recent games, as well. Vogt’s 11 home runs and 39 RBIs for the season make him a threat in any game.

• Third baseman Brett Lawrie must look at his bat as if it was made of wood from a tree that was hit by lightning. He’s hit .409 in the last seven games, with a .435 OBP and a .682 slugging percentage. He has cashed in four RBIs, but he has also struck out six times, to lead the team in that category in that same stretch. As long as Red Sox pitchers don’t offer Lawrie fat pitches, look for him to strike out or awkwardly smack the ball much like he did last season, when he struggled at the plate for the Blue Jays.

• Center fielder Billy Burns has made an impact for Oakland, hitting .406 with 13 hits, a home run, and five RBIs in his last seven games. He even has three stolen bases, making him a threat on the bases as well as on defense in the outfield. Being a switch-hitter, Burns may pose a danger to the Red Sox starting rotation in the series.