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Rays-Red Sox Preview

Aug 1, 2015 - 4:08 AM Letting the trade deadline slip by without making any major deals, the Tampa Bay Rays think they already have enough to reach the postseason.

They could have a hard time getting there if they keep wasting opportunities against last-place teams, however.

They'll try to avoid a third straight loss Saturday against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

The Rays (51-53) were content to largely stay put at the deadline, only dealing reliever Kevin Jepsen to Minnesota for a pair of minor league pitching prospects. They're three games behind the Twins for the AL's second wild-card spot, and any improvements are likely going to have to come from in-house.

"The way we see it, three games out of the wild card today, if we play to our potential, we're going to be in it in September and have a chance at the postseason," president of baseball operations Matt Silverman told MLB's official website.

Tampa Bay, though, needs to ditch its recent habit of underachieving against lesser competition. The Rays dropped two of three at major league-worst Philadelphia from July 20-22, were swept in four games by cellar-dwelling Cleveland at home June 29-July 2, and lost two of three at home to Boston from June 26-28.

The season series with the Red Sox, who own the AL's second-worst record, is 5-5 after Boston won for just the fourth time in 16 games with a 7-5 victory Friday.

The Red Sox (46-58) also made little noise during deadline week, only acquiring reliever Ryan Cook from Oakland.

Facing Tampa Bay's Matt Moore (1-2, 7.61 ERA) doesn't appear intimidating after five uninspiring starts since returning from Tommy John surgery. He's failed to complete more than five innings and given up at least four runs four times.

Luck hasn't been on the left-hander's side, either, with opponents hitting .375 on balls in play.

"I feel fine ... I feel good out there," said Moore, who is surrendering a .441 on-base percentage with runners in scoring position. "It's just a matter of making a couple pitches in situations where you have runners on."

He won his last two starts against Boston, most recently a two-hitter in a 3-0 road victory July 22, 2013.

The Red Sox have been middling against lefties, hitting .245. David Ortiz is having his worst season ever against left-handers, batting .185, but he's fared well against Moore, going 6 for 13 with a home run and two doubles.

Joe Kelly (2-6, 5.94) has been one of many disappointments for Boston, especially after predicting before the season he'd win the Cy Young.

Kelly has been anything but fit for an award and is 0-2 with a 7.33 ERA in two starts since rejoining the team from Triple-A Pawtucket. He threw 3 1-3 innings Monday against the Chicago White Sox - his second-shortest effort of the season - giving up four earned runs and seven hits.

"You don't really predict that, but it is what it is right now," Kelly said of his struggles. "Something that I just have to keep fighting. I'm not going to give up out there. Just going to keep pitching."

Kelly gave up five runs over five-plus innings of Boston's 7-5 loss to the Rays on April 22. Steven Souza Jr. hit a solo shot off the right-hander.

Evan Longoria is 15 for 36 during a nine-game hitting streak against the Red Sox after a 3-for-4 night Friday.