July 26, 2014, 7:10 PM on NESN, SUN

Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida

Boston Red Sox - Lackey, J (11-6) vs. Tampa Bay Rays - Archer, C (6-5)

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Saturday afternoon, John Lackey takes the mound for the Boston Red Sox as they face Chris Archer and the Tampa Bay Rays. It will be the 21^st starts of the season for both pitchers.

John Lackey notched his 2^nd straight victory in his last start and that boosted his record to 11 - 6 with a 3.66 ERA. In the win, Lackey allowed just a run on 2 hits in 7 innings as he struck out 3 without issuing a walk. In the 2 victories, Lackey allowed just 3 runs and 6 hits. He has already surpassed his win total from last season when he went 10 - 13 with a 3.52 ERA in 29 starts.

In 2013, Lackey was 0 - 1 with an 8.10 ERA in 2 starts against the Rays. This season, Lackey has a win and a no-decision in 2 starts against Tampa Bay.

Chris Archer got the win his last time out and that gave him a 6 - 5 record with a 3.31 ERA as he makes this start. In the victory, Archer gave up 3 runs and 6 hits in 6.1 innings of work. He walked 2 while striking out 4. Archer hasn't lost a game in over a month and he is giving the Rays some solid innings in recent games. Last season, Archer posted a record of 9 - 7 with a 3.22 ERA in 23 starts.

In 2013, Archer was 0 - 2 with a 5.19 ERA in 2 starts against the Red Sox. This season, he has 2 no-decisions in his 2 outings against Boston.

Boston Red Sox Betting Trends

Boston Red Sox are 42-56-4 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Boston Red Sox is -0.3

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends

Tampa Bay Rays are 50-47-5 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Tampa Bay Rays is -0.1

Injuries to Watch

Boston Red Sox

07/24/14 DH David Ortiz Back questionable
05/31/14 1B Ryan Lavarnway Wrist 60-day DL (5/30)
05/17/14 3B Will Middlebrooks Finger 15-day DL (5/16)

Tampa Bay Rays

07/22/14 P Joel Peralta Virus 15-day DL (7/21)
07/18/14 C Ryan Hanigan Oblique 15-day DL (7/9)
06/24/14 LF Jerry Sands Wrist 15-day DL (6/22)
06/19/14 LF David DeJesus Hand 15-day DL (6/19)
06/01/14 RF Wil Myers Wrist 60-day DL (5/31)
04/08/14 P Matt Moore Elbow 60-day DL (4/8), out for season
03/30/14 2B Tim Beckham Knee 60-day DL (3/30)

Guy's Pick: Take Boston

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