Phillies head to Fenway to battle Red Sox
Disappointing. If there is one word to summarize the Phillies weekend in Cincinnati that's it. The club dropped three straight at Great American Ballpark in a series on paper they should have dominated.

Now, the Phillies are set to open a two-game set in Boston against a Red Sox team that is without a doubt the best in baseball with a 74-33 record. For perspective, Boston is on pace to put up their highest win total (112) since 1905. Yeah, these two games at Fenway Park will be a true test.

Aaron Nola will be on the mound for the Phillies in the series opener. The right-hander put together a pedestrian performance his last time out, surrendering three runs over five innings to the Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park. Over his last three outings, he has a 2.50 ERA and has proven himself this year to be one of baseball's best young arms with a 12-3 record and a 2.42 ERA.

The Red Sox counter in the opener with lefty David Price who has struggled this month to the tune of a 6.43 ERA. In three career starts against the Phillies he's 1-1 with a 4.67 ERA.

Series History
The Red Sox have had their way with the Phillies since the start of Interleague play. Dating back to 1997, Boston holds a commanding 39-24 record over the Phillies. Philadelphia's last win at Fenway came on May 28, 2013 when Cliff Lee tossed eight outstanding innings in a 3-1 victory. Michael Young and Domonic Brown each homered in the winning effort.

Last Time in Beantown
The Phillies last visited Boston in June of 2017. At that time the club arrived at Fenway Park 19 games below .500 and went on to drop a two-game set.

On the Mend
J.P. Crawford began a rehab assignment on Monday in the Gulf Coast League, working three walks to go along with one strikeout. The 23-year-old is working his way back after fracturing his left hand back in June.

Starting Lineup
1. Cesar Hernandez, 4
2. Rhys Hoskins, 7
3. Odubel Herrera, 8
4. Carlos Santana, 3
5. Asdrubal Cabrera, DH
6. Maikel Franco, 5
7. Jorge Alfaro, 2
8. Roman Quinn, 9
9. Scott Kingery, 6

P. Aaron Nola 
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Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PGordonPBR

BY PATRICK GORDON
Managing Editor
pgordon@philadelphiabaseballreview.com

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