Sports Xchange: Struggling Starters Meet As Sox Host Phils

By Gethin Coolbaugh, The Sports Xchange

BOSTON -- Rick Porcello and Jerad Eickhoff are both in desperate need of turnarounds when the Boston Red Sox begin a home-and-home series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night at Fenway Park.
 
Porcello (3-8, 4.46 ERA) has not pitched like a reigning American League Cy Young Award winner. The right-hander leads the AL in hits allowed (104) and has lost three consecutive starts. 

"The peripheral numbers are equal to (and) in some cases even better than a year ago, except the hits allowed," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "That comes down to being more consistent with location."

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