The red hot Tampa Bay Rays will want to continue their recent success Monday as they visit the Boston Red Sox at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Watch online Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox live stream, click here.
Via ESPN:
Tampa Bay (58-41) has outscored opponents 94-44 in going a major league-best 17-2 since June 29, climbing to within 1 1/2 games of Boston (60-40). The Rays have dropped nine of 12 to the Red Sox this year, but they are hoping to come out with a better effort in this pivotal division showdown.
"Big series, two very good teams, an AL East battle," Rays designated hitter Luke Scott said. "It's going to be some good games, a lot on the line."
Scott has played a big part in his team's recent success, going 18 for 47 (.383) with four home runs and 10 RBIs during a 13-game hitting streak. He belted a two-run homer Sunday as Tampa Bay beat Toronto 4-3 for its fifth straight victory. Evan Longoria and Kelly Johnson also went deep for the Rays, winners of seven of eight on the road.
"Baseball's such a unique game," manager Joe Maddon told MLB's official website. "The turns and twists are incredible. That's the game we had been losing earlier in the year. Now, we're winning that same game."
Boston took two of three from the New York Yankees over the weekend, including a thrilling 8-7 win in Sunday's finale. After hitting a three-run homer earlier in the game, Mike Napoli delivered a walkoff shot with two outs in the 11th.
"He's a dangerous batter," catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said of Napoli, who is second on the team with 13 homers and 62 RBIs. "He can do damage at any point in the game."
The Red Sox, who improved to 27-8 when Napoli drives in at least one run, have hit .311 while winning 20 of 26 at home since May 24, baseball's second-best record over that stretch.
