Cleveland at Boston

Boston won its ninth in 12 games to improve to 35-18 since the beginning of July, which is the best in the American League. The Red Sox are 43-27 at home this season, and they have moved within 2 1/2 games of first-place Toronto in the AL East. Cleveland lost its second straight and is averaging just 2.5 runs in its past 10 games. The Guardians have lost six road games in a row, and they are 5-11 in their past 16 games overall. Slade Cecconi has allowed 18 runs (16 earned) on 28 hits in his past four starts in 19 2/3 innings pitched, and Cleveland has lost three of them. Garrett Crochet is in the Cy Young Award picture with a 14-5 mark and a 2.40 ERA. Take the Red Sox.