Red Sox Series Preview: A Test In Tampa

Jun 23, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher

(22) gets gatorade dumped on him after the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Red Sox (32-42) will look to gain some ground against the American League East division leaders the Tampa Bay Rays (41-33). With the multiple changes made this Thursday to the Red Sox lineup and their pitching staff, it should make for an interesting weekend.

The Red Sox are 15-22 in away games this season, but are 5-5 in the last 10 games. The Rays are only 6-4 in the same span, much like the rest of the division, with the exception of the Baltimore Orioles (7-3). The Rays are also with a losing record at home (20-21), with most of their wins being on the road. If Boston is going to get back into the race, they will need to take advantage of the schedule by taking the series win, before they are left in the dust.

Let’s look at the tale of the tape:

*** All statistics can be found at MLB.com

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Jun 23, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) smiles in the dugout during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Pitcher Matchups @ Rays (Tropicana Field)

June 26 @ 7:10 PM ET

• Rick Porcello (4-8, 5.61 ERA) vs. Alex Colome (3-3, 4.50 ERA)
• Porcello is 1-6 in his last seven starts. If you haven’t swallowed your tongue yet, just know that he has given up 15 runs in his last three games, all for losses. He’s given up 24 runs in 16.2 innings, so expect more of the runs bleeding, even against the Rays less-than-potent offense.
• Take what you will from these facts: Colome is 3-3 in 11 starts. He has given up 28 runs in 56 innings this season. Does it not give fans a warm feeling when their pitcher gives up less runs than the amount of innings that he pitches?

June 27 @ 4:10 PM ET

• Wade Miley (7-6, 4.50 ERA) vs. Matt Andriese (2-2, 3.79 ERA)
• In his last two starts, Miley has won both games and allowed only two runs on 10 hits. After his blowup with manager John Farrell in the dugout a few weeks ago, Miley has been one of the bright spots on the mound. Could this be a sign of his time in Boston becoming more successful at a more consistent rate?
• Andriese is 2-1 in his last three games. After dominating the Chicago White Sox and the Washington Nationals, blanking both, he hosted the Toronto Blue Jays whom knocked him around for four runs on five hits in under six innings.

June 28 @ 1:10 PM ET

• Justin Masterson (2-2, 6.37 ERA) vs. Chris Archer (9-4, 2.10 ERA)
• Masterson’s statistics with the Red Sox are pointless, as he is returning from the disabled list and hoping to put his major league troubles behind him. Instead of the bullpen, where he may still end up, Masterson is taking over for Joe Kelly‘s start, after Kelly was sent down to Pawtucket on Thursday.
• And what a welcome to the starting role for Masterson, as he gets to battle Archer, one of the best MLB pitchers around. Archer pretty much dismantled and baffled the Blue Jays’ high-impact offense, which seems like an ill omen for the Red Sox this Sunday.