Preview: Worcester Red Sox at Nashville Sounds

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Worcester Red Sox look to snap a two-game skid and even their series with the Nashville Sounds on Saturday at First Horizon Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 76-degree weather under cloudy skies.

The Red Sox (10-5) will send right-hander Carlos Rodriguez (0-3) to the mound seeking his first win of the season. He faces a Nashville lineup that has taken the first two games of this six-game set, including a 5-3 victory on Wednesday.

The Sounds (8-7) have been led by hot-hitting center fielder Luis Lara. Over his last 10 games, Lara is batting .390 (16 for 41). He went 3 for 5 with two RBIs in Wednesday’s win over Worcester and is 6 for 9 in the first two games of this series.

A player to watch for Worcester is reliever Kyle Keller, who has been effective lately despite the team’s losses. In his last appearance Wednesday against Nashville, he struck out three in 1 2/3 perfect innings. Over his last four outings, he has allowed just one earned run in 6 2/3 innings.

The Red Sox, who lead the International League standings, saw their offense stifled in a 5-3 loss Wednesday and a 9-4 defeat Tuesday after winning eight of their previous nine games.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Worcester 7, Nashville 5.

Following Saturday’s contest, the series concludes Sunday before both teams depart for their next opponents. Worcester begins a homestand against Syracuse on Tuesday, while Nashville hits the road to face Charlotte.