Mariners at Red Sox
Boston still has a deep hole to emerge from in the AL East, but at least the Red Sox are moving in the right direction. Boston comes into the opener of a two-game set with Seattle at Fenway Park riding a three-game winning streak. The Red Sox are within four games of .500 and have improved their home record to 7-11. Seattle lost the first two games of a weekend set at New York before taking the final game Sunday.
The Mariners are in a four-city, 10-game trip that also includes visits to Cleveland and Colorado. After losing seven in a row two weeks ago, Seattle has won five of its past eight but continues to struggle on offense. The Mariners rank 13th in the AL in batting average (.235). Boston is second in the AL in average (.276) but ranks 29th in the majors in ERA (5.00).
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Root Sports (Seattle), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Seattle LH Jason Vargas (4-2, 2.79 ERA) vs. Boston LH Jon Lester (1-3, 4.29 ERA).
Vargas has won three of his past four decisions, pitching a five-hit gem across eight innings Wednesday against Detroit. The left-hander did not walk a hitter and allowed just one run while striking out six. Vargas has surrendered two earned runs or fewer in four of his past five starts, and has a career-best 0.97 WHIP.
Lester deserved a better fate in his last start, Wednesday at Kansas City. The left-hander allowed just one earned run on six hits in five innings, taking his third loss in four decisions. Lester has not won at Fenway this season, posting an 11.25 ERA in two starts at home.
WALK-OFFS
1. Boston outscored Cleveland 23-7 in winning the final three games of the four-game series.
2. Every game of the Mariners’ series at New York ended 6-2.
3. Lester has not won since beating the White Sox 1-0 on April 28.