AL East Division rivals will clash on Thursday night, when the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays wrap up their series from Tropicana Field. The Red Sox (76-59) are two games above .500 on the road and hold a two-game lead over Oakland in the race for the final AL Wild Card spot. Last night, Boston C Christian Vasquez homered and drove in a pair of runs during a 3-2 road victory.
Twenty-eight year old southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez (10-7 5.12 ERA) will head to the hill for the Red Sox in this contest. Last time out, Rodriguez allowed three runs in seven innings during a 4-3 road victory against Cleveland.
The Tampa Bay Rays have won 43 of their first 67 home games and have opened up a seven game lead over New York for first place. During Wednesday's home loss, Tampa Bay went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base. Rookie SS Wander Franco hit a two-run shot in a losing effort for the Rays, who fell to 84-49 on the year.
Rookie left-hander Shane McClanahan (9-4 3.59 ERA) will make his 21st career major league start. The Rays have won McClanahan’s last five starts and he has allowed just nine earned runs over his last 29 plus innings.
