Red Sox Begin Nine-Game Road Trip Against Angels

The Red Sox open a nine-game road trip Friday with the first of three games against the Angels. The trip runs through the All-Star break and includes visits to Chicago and New York. The team finished its preceding homestand 5-2 after sweeping four games from the Yankees. Its five-game winning streak ended with consecutive losses to Washington by scores of 8-1 and 10-2.

Lineups and pitching Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said the homestand "could have been a great homestand." He added that the club is "in a much better position than we were" before those five wins. Left-hander Jake Bennett starts for Boston. He holds a 2-3 record and 3.27 ERA in six prior appearances. Left-hander Reid Detmers starts for the Angels and is 3-5 with a 3.88 ERA.

Additional notes The Red Sox sit last in the American League East and trail the final wild-card spot by 6½ games. The Angels, last in the American League West, have won four straight home series. Willson Contreras received a seven-game suspension and an undisclosed fine after a benches-clearing incident Tuesday.

He leads the club with 18 home runs and 53 RBIs and is expected to appeal the penalty. m. Eastern time and will be televised on NESN.