The American League East's best and worst will meet the next three days.
There's plenty to gain for both teams.
The Tampa Bay Rays will look to extend their lead in the AL East against the struggling Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field. The Red Sox, meanwhile, will try to gain positive momentum in a season that has been filled with frustration so far.
The Rays, already having clinched a winning record for June, remain in a tight race for the division's control. Entering play Friday, they hold a 41-33 record and a 1 1/2-game lead over the New York Yankees. The Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays stand two games back. By losing two of three games against Toronto from Monday to Wednesday, Tampa Bay dropped its first series since the Los Angeles Angels claimed two of three contests from June 9-11 at Tropicana Field.
The Red Sox (32-42) enter after losing two of three games to the Orioles from Tuesday to Thursday at Fenway Park. They're just 5-11 since June 9. In six previous games against the Rays this season, Tampa Bay won four of the matchups.
Here's a closer look at the upcoming Rays-Red Sox series ...
SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHERS
WHO'S HOT
Mookie Betts (Red Sox): He hit .462 (12 for 26) with two home runs and five RBI in six games from June 19-25. He had two multi-hit contests in the span. He has hit .276 with eight home runs and 34 RBI this season.
Logan Forsythe (Rays): He hit .476 (10 for 21) with one home run and one RBI in six games from June 19-24. He had three multi-hit contests in the span. He has hit .292 with eight home runs and 32 RBI this season.
WHO'S NOT
Brock Holt (Red Sox): He hit .160 (4 for 25) with seven strikeouts in six games from June 19-25. He was held hitless in four contests in the span. He has hit .297 with two home runs and 19 RBI this season.
Jake Elmore (Rays): He hit .056 (1 for 18) with six strikeouts in five games from June 19-24. He had four contests without a hit in the span. He has hit .245 with one home run and 13 RBI this season.
STORYLINES
.139: Batting average for infielder Nick Franklin before he was demoted to Triple-A Durham on Thursday. The same day, the Rays made a trade with the Angels for outfielder/first baseman Marc Krauss in exchange for minor-league right-hander Kyle Winkler.
0: Teams aside from the Red Sox with a losing record in the AL East. Boston's 15-22 road mark stands as the worst within the division.
15-8: Rays' record in June. This will mark the first winning June for them since posting a 16-11 record in the month in 2011.
QUOTE BOARD
"Maybe he wants him to sign it? I'm not sure. I have no idea. First I've ever seen." -- Manager Kevin Cash, after home plate umpire Kerwin Danley ejected shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera in the bottom of the fifth inning of the Rays' 8-5 loss to the Blue Jays on Monday at Tropicana Field for arguing a called third strike. Afterward, Cabrera tossed his helmet and bat toward the mound. Umpire crew chief Joe West collected the items and gave them to a stadium security official.
"They remember each time you face them, so you try to execute every pitch to your fullest capability." -- Right-hander Chris Archer to reporters, after the Rays' 4-3 victory over the Blue Jays on Tuesday at Tropicana Field. He has won his past six decisions.
"It wasn't a pretty hit, but it was a hit. But hats off to him." -- Second baseman Logan Forsythe, after the Rays' 1-0 loss to the Blue Jays in 12 innings on Wednesday at Tropicana Field. He earned Tampa Bay's first hit against right-hander Marco Estrada with one out in the bottom of the eighth to break up a perfect-game bid.
PROMOTIONS AND GIVEAWAYS
June 26 -- Rays Cowboy Hat
June 27 -- Rays Retro Headband
June 28 -- KIDZ BOP Kids Postgame Concert
June 28 -- Rays Retro Tin Lunch Box
LOOKING AHEAD
June 29-July 2 -- Indians at Rays
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
