St. Louis at Boston - Aug 16^th 2017 7:10 PM ^ET Preview

Right-hander Lance Lynn goes for his fifth consecutive victory and attempts to give the St. Louis Cardinals a split of a two-game interleague series against the host Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night. St. Louis has dropped two in a row following an eight-game winning streak but remained 1 1/2 games behind Chicago in the National League Central.

The surging Red Sox turned their first triple play in six years in the series opener, breaking the game open with an eight-run fifth inning in the 10-4 victory to improve to 11-2 in their last 13 games. Slumping shortstop Xander Bogaerts, mired in a 1-for-17 slump in his previous five games, broke loose with three hits and an RBI single as Boston maintained its 4 1/2-game lead in the American League East. Dexter Fowler had a two-run double among three hits for the Cardinals and is 11-for-24 over his last eight games. Lynn, who has not allowed more than two earned runs in eight straight starts, will be opposed by left-hander Eduardo Rodríguez, who won at St. Louis on May 16 with six innings of three-run ball.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Lance Lynn (10-6, 3.12 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodríguez (4-3, 3.80)

Although Lynn did not factor in the decision last time out, he limited Kansas City to three runs (two earned) over six innings to extend his unbeaten string to seven starts. He is 4-0 and has permitted a combined seven earned runs in that span - all quality starts - but 13 walks over the last three turns is a concern. Lynn's ERA is nearly a run higher on the road (3.56) than at home (2.62).

Rodriguez remains in search of his first win since May 26, although he spent a lengthy portion of that time on the disabled list. He appeared on the way to ending the drought in his last start at Yankee Stadium, tossing six scoreless innings of two-hit ball and striking out seven before Boston's bullpen coughed up a lead. Rodriguez has made six starts at Fenway this year, posting a 1-0 record and 3.31 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox LF Andrew Benintendi, 15-for-35 during an nine-game hitting streak, left Tuesday's game after taking a pitch off the knee.

2. St. Louis SS Paul DeJong has five straight multiple-hit games (11-for-20) and a five-game RBI streak.

3. Red Sox 3B Rafael Devers has hit safely in five straight games, going 8-for-19 with three homers and six RBIs.