Old friends Matt Moore and David Price will go head-to-head when the Rays host the Red Sox in the final game of a three-game series on Wednesday at 12:10 p.m. ET.
Price, who began his career with the Rays and played in the organization for more than six seasons, has been in contact with Moore since it was clear they'd oppose each other.
"I just told him I hope it's not a rubber match, because I'd hate to do that to him," Moore said. "He's a good buddy and I look up to him a lot."
Both pitchers have struggled this season, but they have pitched better lately. Moore was perfect for 13 batters on Friday night after allowing just two runs over the previous 13 innings before that. Price has gone eight innings in three of his last four starts, through struggled his last time out in Texas. He's 8-4 with a 4.68 ERA on the season.
It will be the fourth time he's pitched at Tropicana Field since being traded away in 2014 to the Detroit Tigers.
The Red Sox's starting rotation has struggled lately, but Rick Porcello went six strong frames in Boston's 8-2 win Tuesday.
"It's been a struggle for us, for some of us, over the course of this season," said Price, who allowed the Rangers six runs on 12 hits over 2 1/3 frames but got a no-decision. "I'll take that blame. I haven't thrown the baseball the way that I know that I can."
Three things to know about this game
• It was Moore who allowed the 500th career home run to David Ortiz on Sept. 12, 2015. Moore allowed four home runs in that game.
• Mookie Betts has led off six of the last 12 Red Sox games with a hit.
• The Red Sox are 36-26 when facing a right-handed pitcher, but just 5-9 against lefty starters.
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