Red Sox at Athletics
The Boston Red Sox have gotten off to a tremendous start this season and look to continue their success Saturday, when they visit the Oakland Athletics in search of their ninth consecutive victory. Boston rolled to a 7-3 triumph in the opener of the three-game series on Friday to become the fifth team in the live-ball era to win 17 of its first 19 contests and first since Milwaukee in 1987.
Jackie Bradley Jr. forged a tie in the second inning with a three-run homer and Mitch Moreland snapped it four frames later with the Red Sox's league-leading fifth grand slam in their last 12 games. Boston, which finished last year without a slam, has belted 13 homers while winning each of the first four contests of its nine-game road trip - outscoring the opposition 34-6 in the victories. Mookie Betts finished with just one single on Friday, ending his string of three straight multi-hit performances. Oakland had its four-game winning streak halted, but Jed Lowrie remained piping hot as he went 4-for-5 with an RBI and is 14-for-28 during his six-game hitting streak.
TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), NBCS California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Chris Sale (1-0, 1.23 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Sean Manaea (2-2, 1.63)
Sale has just one victory in four starts this season despite allowing a total of three runs over 16 innings. The 29-year-old Floridian has yet to work more than six innings, however, lasting only five while giving up one run and two hits in a no-decision against Baltimore on Sunday. Sale owns a 5-2 record and 2.60 ERA in eight starts and five relief appearances versus Oakland in his career.
Manaea has been nearly as good as Sale this season, yielding five runs over 27 2/3 innings in four starts. The 26-year-old native of Indiana notched a victory at Seattle on Sunday after giving up one run and two hits in seven frames. Manaea has struggled against Boston in his career, going 1-2 in three starts while surrendering 18 runs and 26 hits (four homers) over 11 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Red Sox activated LHP Drew Pomeranz from the disabled list to make the start on Friday after optioning RHP Marcus Walden to Triple-A Pawtucket the previous night.
2. Oakland recalled RHPs Josh Lucas and Chris Bassitt from Triple-A Nashville on Friday and optioned LHP Daniel Coulombe to the Sounds.
3. Boston RHP Steven Wright (knee) made his first rehab start for Pawtucket on Friday but lasted only 2 2/3 innings due to back stiffness.