The Boston Red Sox are struggling. They are not getting the work done at the plate and recently their starting pitchers have failed to relieve any of the pressure. The team is in the midst of one of their longest losing streaking to date and showing no signs of life. As the rival Tampa Bay Rays prepare for a faceoff at home, the Red Sox will trust John Lackey to help out.
The Red Sox are trying to avoid their eighth straight loss, the longest since 2012. They have been outscored 37-16 in the stretch. They have only scored more than three runs in a game and their starting pitchers are putting together an 8.89 ERA over the past five games. In his last start, Lester gave up seven runs in a loss to Toronto that capped off an 0-6 home stretch.
Lackey has pitched well against the Rays this season. He gave up just two runs in eight innings during a stretch where he was 3-0 with a 2.17 ERA. If he is going to repeat the success, a bounce back is necessary. He gave up six runs to Detroit, the third time that has happened this season. In his previous four starts against Tampa Bay, Lackey was 1-2 with an 8.84 ERA.
The Rays will trust Chris Archer to help out after the team won two of three at Fenway Park back at the end of April. He is 3-2 with a 4.59 ERA giving up just two hits against the Los Angeles Angels. He was 0-1 with a 6.97 ERA in his past four starts. Tampa Bay is not exactly moving the bats well either. Prior to a Thursday win, the team had scored just four runs while being shut out twice in four games. Which team can bounce back from their recent losing ways?
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