Athletics at Boston Red Sox

BOSTON (Interstat) — The Athletics will close their three-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park, with the forecast calling for 89 degrees and cloudy conditions at game time.

Athletics are 46-71, while Boston is 64-52. The Red Sox have won five of six in the season series, including a 13-1 rout Friday. Athletics bounced back Saturday with a 7-3 win, snapping a three-game skid against Boston. Boston still has won nine of its past 10 games, while Athletics have lost nine of their past 10.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-1 Red Sox win, and Interstat’s ELO system gives Boston a 71.60 percent probability to win.

Pitcher Gage Jump is the player to watch for Athletics. In Saturday’s win, Jump went six innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits while striking out 11. He also beat Boston on July 28, giving up three hits over six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts. Relievers Hogan Harris and Luis Medina followed Saturday with a combined two innings and one run.

For Boston, pitcher Jake Bennett is the player to watch. Bennett took the loss Saturday, allowing four earned runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings with five strikeouts. Before that, he had allowed three earned runs or fewer in four straight starts, including a win at the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 2. In Saturday’s loss, designated hitter Jahmai Jones went 3 for 5, and Raymond Burgos pitched three innings in relief, allowing two earned runs.

Boston’s offense has been potent recently. The Red Sox scored 13 runs Friday, 14 runs Aug. 4 and 12 runs in a 13-inning win over the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 6. Athletics have been streaky at the plate, though Gage Jump’s strong outings have given them a boost.

After Sunday’s finale, Athletics will return home to open a series Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Boston will travel to Toronto for a four-game series against the Blue Jays on Monday.

The Sunday game is scheduled as an afternoon contest at Fenway Park, with clouds expected during the afternoon.