Rick Porcello (6-2, 3.51 ERA) and Danny Salazar (4-2, 1.80 ERA) take the hill in the last of a three-game series between the Boston Red Sox (26-17) and the Cleveland Indians (22-18) at Fenway Park. The Red Sox won the last game 9-1, and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 22 and can be seen on STOh and NESN.
Porcello pitched 5.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering five runs (one unearned), striking out three and walking two in an 8-4 defeat to the Royals. David Ortiz (.311, 20 Rs, 10 HRs, 34 RBIs, 1 SB) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 4. Salazar went 7.1 innings, surrendering one run, striking out eight and walking one in a 13-1 win over the Reds in his most recent start. Carlos Santana (.241, 22 Rs, 8 HRs, 22 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Notes
Cleveland has won 56% (9-7) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Boston has won 75% (15-5) of its games when taking a late lead.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Indians are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Red Sox have a 5-0 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Indians are 14-5. The Red Sox have a 25-4 record when outhitting opponents.
Boston ranks at the top of the league when it comes to runs with 251 this season. Cleveland ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 191.
Ranking first in on-base plus slugging percentage, Boston has an OPS of .844 this season. Cleveland ranks 15th with an OPS of .726.
The Indians are 14-14 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Red Sox are 17-13 when they allow at least one homer.
