Rockies at Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox turn to resurgent right-hander John Lackey as they aim for an abbreviated two-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday afternoon. Boston produced a season-high 20 hits in an 11-4 rout of Colorado in the opener Tuesday, rebounding from a rough series in Detroit in which it dropped three of four. The Red Sox maintained its two-game edge atop the tight American League East.
With the loss, the Rockies dropped back to .500 and fell to 2-8 against the AL East this year. Wilin Rosario's homer hightlight an 11-hit attack, but Colorado failed to get much from starter Juan Nicasio, who lasted just 2 1/3 innings. Veteran Roy Oswalt will attempt to give Colorado a little more when he makes his second start since signing with the organization on May 2.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Roy Oswalt (0-1, 7.20 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH John Lackey (4-5, 3.03)
Oswalt's first start of the year Thursday at Washington was a mixed bag. He had an extremely impressive 11 strikeouts against no walks in just five innings, but gave up four runs on nine hits. The 35-year-old has made one appearance in his 12-year career at Fenway Park and it came in relief last season for Texas. He gave up four runs in 1 1/3 innings in that outing.
Lackey continues to be one of the steadiest members of the Boston roster. He has allowed two runs in seven innings in consecutive starts and has a quality start in six of his last seven outings. The veteran righty has yielded three earned runs in 26 innings at home this year, limiting opponents to a .189 average. He is 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA in his career against Colorado.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rockies RF Michael Cuddyer has a 22-game hitting streak and can tie the franchise mark set by Dante Bichette in 1995 with a hit Wednesday.
2. Boston optioned 3B Will Middlebrooks to Triple-A Pawtucket and placed LHP Franklin Morales on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left pectoral.
3. Colorado returns home Thursday to host the New York Mets in a makeup game. The Red Sox stay home and open a big four-game series with Toronto.
PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Rockies 4