Red Sox @ Athletics

Who will WIN this matchup?

Boston Red Sox (2-5)

@ Oakland Athletics (5-4)

Starting Pitchers:

Rodriguez (BOS): 0-1; 10.38 ERA

Anderson (OAK) 1-0; 0.00 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Boston Red Sox: 2-5

Oakland Athletics: 5-4

Current odds:

Boston Red Sox: (-108)

Oakland Athletics: (-102)

• It took 23 innings for the Boston Red Sox to finally get on the board at Oakland Coliseum, but they’re hoping their final frame Wednesday is the beginning of a turnaround. Boston looks to build off a comeback victory when it visits the Oakland Athletics on Thursday afternoon for the finale of their four-game series. The defending World Series champions lost five of their first six games this season, including the first two of the set via shutout, and were blanked for four frames Wednesday before Blake Swihart homered in the fifth. Boston scored twice in the sixth to forge a tie before reigning American League MVP Mookie Betts snapped it in the ninth with a two-run double – a grounder that caromed off the third base bag and out of Matt Chapman’s reach. Mitch Moreland delivered a two-run double in the win and has hit safely in six straight contests after going 0-for-3 in the season opener.

• Oakland lost for just the second time in in seven games, allowing six runs in each defeat while yielding a total of three in the five victories.

• After a decent spring, Rodriguez struggled in his season debut as he surrendered six runs – five earned – on eight hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings at Seattle. The 25-year-old Venezuelan, who registered 13 victories last season, threw 105 pitches without getting through five frames. Rodriguez has made four career starts against Oakland, going 2-1 with a 2.33 ERA.

• Anderson was superb in his season debut against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday, scattering three hits over six scoreless innings. The 31-year-old Texan issued a pair of walks while registering four strikeouts en route to his 31st win as an Athletic while climbing within five games of .500 for his career (47-52). Anderson is 6-4 with a complete-game shutout and a 3.48 ERA in 11 career starts against Boston.

• Betts has scored in four of his seven games this season but had just one RBI in six contests prior to Wednesday.

• Oakland SS Marcus Semien has hit safely in eight of his first nine games this year but has gone six contests without an RBI.

• Boston 1B Steve Pearce (calf) is expected to be activated from the injured list and make his season debut Thursday.