The Boston Red Sox (29-31) and Miami Marlins (31-29) will open up an interleague series on Monday night at Marlins Park in Miami, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 ET on ESPN

Boston Red Sox at Miami Marlins

Boston has dropped six of its last seven games, including getting swept at home in a three-game series against the Washington Nationals over the weekend.  “I don’t have very descriptive words, it’s over,” commented Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine.  The Red Sox now find themselves two games under .500 for the first time since May 19, as they head out on a six-game road trip against National League opponents.  Boston is 3-6 in June this year, but 37-24 during the month over the past two-plus seasons.

Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett (4-6, 4.04 ERA) has lost his last two outings, including a 2-1 defeat at home to the Baltimore Orioles, allowing two runs and five hits over eight strong innings.  The right-hander will bring in an even 2-2 record and 4.68 ERA in four road outings, surrendering six home runs in 25 combined innings.  Beckett will be making his first-ever start against his former team, as he posted a 26-14 record and 3.15 ERA in 56 games (55 starts) in South Beach as a member of the Marlins.

Miami was also swept in its most recent series, losing all three games to in-state rival Tampa Bay, including a 4-2 setback on Sunday afternoon.  “They did everything better than we did all weekend,” commented Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen.  The Marlins have been victimized by a poor bullpen over the previous 15 games, posting a 6.64 ERA and surrendering five home runs in that span.  The club has been outscored 43-10, and is hitting just .197 over its six-game losing streak.  Miami is 10-36 as a home underdog of +100 to +125 since the start of the 2010 season.

Marlins starting pitcher Josh Johnson (3-4, 4.56 ERA) has led the club to six wins in his last seven efforts, but ended up on the losing end of a 2-1 setback at home to the Atlanta Braves last time out.  He allowed two runs and six hits over 7.2 frames in that effort.  The right-hander is 2-3 with a 4.09 ERA in seven home starts, issuing 13 walks and striking out 38 batters in 44 combined innings, with opposing hitters batting .322 against him.  Johnson didn’t factor into the decision in a 4-3 home loss to the Red Sox in his only career start against them on July 2, 2006, giving up three home runs in seven innings.

Bettors will likely back the Red Sox due to their 6-1 mark in interleague road games, while the Marlins are 0-6 in their last six games against AL East opponents.

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