The Oakland Athletics enter this contest on a five-game slide, including back-to-back setbacks to the Red Sox. They've scored only a total of 12 runs during their losing streak, and I think they look like a good fade here with Mike Fiers on the mound.

Fiers (2-2, 7.03 ERA) owns good career numbers against Boston, but he has been lit up on the regular this season. Note that Fiers had been rocked for 18 runs through his last three starts prior to a strong outing against Toronto.

The Red Sox turn to right-hander Hector Velazquez (0-2, 3.86) who will make his fourth start of the season and is in need of a strong outing to justify his spot as a starter. Velazquez has faced Oakland twice as a reliever this season already, limiting them to one run over 2 2/3 innings of work.

Athletics are 3-14 in their last 17 vs. a team with a losing record. Red Sox are 38-15 in their last 53 vs. a team with a losing record.

8* play on Boston Red Sox.