John Lackey

The Red Sox begin a seven-game homestand Monday night when they take on the Indians. The Red Sox will look to hold onto their lead in the AL East, while the Indians will try to gain ground in the AL Central. This will be Boston’s third series against the Indians this season, but the first at Fenway. The Indians swept the Red Sox in Cleveland in April, and the Red Sox took 2-of-3 in late May.

John Lackey takes the mound for the Red Sox looking to extend his four-game winning streak. He has allowed seven earned runs over his last 25 innings, lowering his ERA by 1.27. He has given the Red Sox two quality starts in his last four and has struck out seven batters twice. He has averaged less than one walk over his last four starts.

Lackey is 6-7 with a 4.07 career ERA against the Indians. He last faced Cleveland on Aug. 2 of last season, giving up six earned runs in 5 1/3 innings of a loss.

At 6-4, Lackey has a far higher winning percentage at home (3-4 on the road). His home ERA is higher, however, at 6.54 to 5.77 on the road.

The Indians will counter with Josh Tomlin, who is 11-5 with a 4.01 ERA in his first full season in the majors. Tomlin has won four of his last five decisions, but he lost his most recent start, giving up two earned runs on four hits and a walk in eight innings against the Angels.

Tomlin has only played the Red Sox twice before, going 1-1 with a 3.48 ERA. He beat the Red Sox on April 5, giving up just one earned run in seven innings.

Tomlin has had far more success at home than on the road this season. He is just 4-3 with a 4.88 ERA on the road, over 1.6 runs higher than at home, where he is 7-2.

With the weekend trade of Orlando Cabrera to the Giants, the Indians have only one hitter with a batting average higher than .200 against Lackey: Matt LaPorta, who has batted .500 in just six appearances. Jack Hannahan is the only Indian to ever homer off Lackey.

The Red Sox are batting just .125 against Tomlin, a pitcher whom only four Red Sox have seen more than three times. Newcomer Mike Aviles leads the team with 12 appearances, going 2-for-12 with a double, a home run and an RBI. Dustin Pedroia and Jarrod Saltalamacchia are a combined 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI.

Indians vs. Lackey

Travis Hafner (34 plate appearances): .179 BA/.303 OBP/.250 SLG, 10 strikeouts

Asdrubal Cabrera (19): .118/.211/.118

Jack Hannahan (10): .200/.200/.500, HR

Matt LaPorta (6): .500/.500/.833, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs

Carlos Santana is 0-for-2 with a walk in three appearances against Lackey

Michael Brantley, Kosuke Fukudome, Austin Kearns and Lou Marson have never faced Lackey.

Red Sox vs. Tomlin

Mike Aviles (12): .167/.167/.500, 1 HR, 1 RBI

Jacoby Ellsbury (6): .000/.000/.000

David Ortiz (6): .000/.167/.000

Marco Scutaro (5): .200/.200/.200

Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez and Kevin Youkilis are a combined 0-for-8 with a walk in nine plate appearances. Dustin Pedroia is 1-for-3.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia is 1-for-2 with an RBI in two appearances.

Darnell McDonald, Josh Reddick, Drew Sutton and Jason Varitek have never faced Tomlin.