I'm seeing positive signs now with Chris Sale, who gets the start here. The seven-time All-Star is off a 5-3 win against the Phillies. He struck out 10 in six innings. Sale's fastball was back up to 99 mph. He hasn't thrown that hard in five years.

Opposing Sale is Steven Matz. Fading Matz this season has proven quite profitable. St. Louis is 1-6 in his seven starts. Matz has a 5.70 ERA. He has a career 5.75 ERA versus the Red Sox in four starts.

Boston is five games above .500. The Cardinals have been one of the most disappointing teams in the league at 14-25.

The Red Sox are 101-49 the past 150 times when playing an opponent with a below .400 percentage.