Indians at Red Sox

Summary:

…Red Sox have won 11 of their last 15 games.

…They’ve outscored the Indians, 25-19 in the season series.

…Beckett is 1-1 and Lester 1-0 against the Tribe this year.

…Carl Crawford is hitting .348 (8-for-23) with two homers and three RBI against the Indians.

Pitching Matchups:

RHP Josh Tomlin (11-5, 4.01) vs. RHP John Lackey (9-8, 6.20) Tonight at 7:10

LHP David Huff (1-1, 0.71) vs. RHP Josh Beckett (9-4, 2.17) Tuesday at 7:10 p.m.

*RHP Carlos Carrasco (8-9, 4.67) vs. RHP Tim Wakefield (6-4, 5.06) Wednesday at 7:10 p.m.

RHP Justin Masterson (8-7, 2.57) vs. LHP Jon Lester (10-4, 3.23) Thursday at 7:10 p.m.

*Could be Ubaldo Jimenez.

Red Sox Medical Watch:

• LF Carl Crawford (strained left elbow) did not play July 27. He appeared as a pinch hitter July 28, and started on July 29.

• RF J.D. Drew (left shoulder impingement) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 20.

• RHP Bobby Jenks (back tightness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 8. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection July 18. According to manager Terry Francona, the injury is located in the same area as the muscle strain that sidelined Jenks in June. It’s unclear when Jenks will be ready to resume pitching.

• RHP Clay Buchholz (lower back stiffness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 17. He threw a bullpen session June 26, but he felt renewed tightness July 28. He received a cortisone shot July 6 and resumed throwing July 18, playing catch from 120 feet. He long-tossed July 20 and July 22. He threw off a mound July 25, but then was sore, causing him to cancel a scheduled July 27 bullpen session. He said he did not experience a setback, but he was expected to be examined by a specialist on Aug. 1. Buchholz was transferred to the 60-day DL on July 31.

• SS Jed Lowrie (sore left shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list June 17. Lowrie underwent an MRI exam on June 17 and got a second opinion from Dr. Lewis Yocum, who prescribed rest. He began hitting off a tee during the week of July 18-24, then took batting practice for the first time July 27. He might begin a rehab assignment on Aug. 1 at Class AAA Pawtucket.

• RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (sprained right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 17, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 3. He had season-ending Tommy John surgery June 10.

• LHP Rich Hill (sprained left elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 2, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 27. He had season-ending Tommy John surgery June 9.

Red Sox News/Notes:

• LHP Andrew Miller may be the pitcher most affected by Sunday’s trade for LHP Erik Bedard. For now, though, Miller remains unconcerned. After allowing three runs on 10 hits in only 5-2/3 innings Sunday against the White Sox, Miller said he isn’t worried about being moved to the bullpen in favor of Bedard.

• 1B Adrian Gonzalez sat out Friday night’s game in Chicago because of a stiff neck, and manager Terry Francona indicated Sunday that the slugger was still feeling the residual effects. If that was the case, Gonzalez was utterly unaffected. By notching two doubles Sunday, Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to 10 games. During that stretch, he’s batting .535 (23-for-53) with seven consecutive multi-hit games.

• RHP Clay Buchholz is expected to see back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins on Monday in Los Angeles. Buchholz has been sidelined since mid-June with a lower back strain that has shown little improvement.

• C Jason Varitek staked the Red Sox to a lead in the second inning Sunday with a two-run home run against Chicago starter Mark Buehrle. Between them, Varitek and Jarrod Saltalamacchia have given the Sox 16 homers from their catchers. Among AL teams, only the Blue Jays (19) have more.

• LHP Jon Lester was both efficient and effective Saturday night in his second start since coming off the disabled list with a strained lat muscle.

  Lester allowed little more than a pair of solo homers and mostly mowed down the White Sox in a 10-2 victory and proved that, while the Red Sox sought to bolster the back of their rotation by acquiring LHP Erik Bedard, there is nothing wrong with their ace. Lester gave up four hits, struck out eight, walked only one and finished eight innings for the first time since June 18 en route to his first victory since June 30.