Michael Alexander

Rating: 2 Units

Leake is winless in his last three starts and was knocked around for five runs - four earned - and 11 hits over five innings against Kansas City on Wednesday. The Arizona State product did not complete six innings in five of his last seven starts. Leake is 6-10 with a 4.04 ERA in 28 career interleague starts, including 0-1 with a 4.26 mark in three chances against Boston. Boston starter, Porcello is enjoying a two-start winning streak and finally starting to get some support from his offense, which totaled 17 runs in his last two outings. Porcello is 17-8 with a 4.17 ERA in 35 career interleague games,

Rating: 2 Units

Smith remains in search of his first major-league victory since 2008 with Boston after being tagged for five runs and seven hits - four homers - over six innings in a loss to Baltimore on Thursday. The 36-year-old Californian has surrendered four or more runs in three consecutive outings - including one in relief - after giving up three or fewer in each of his first three turns this year.  Kansas City starter, Hammel continued his solid pitching Thursday, when he allowed fewer than four runs for the 12th time in 13 starts in a no-decision at St. Louis.

Rating: 2 Units

Newcomb allowed three runs (two earned), five hits and one walk while striking out six in six innings of a 3-2 loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Massachusetts native has been better away from home - he's 1-0 with a 3.43 ERA in four road starts compared to 0-6, 5.02 in seven home turns - but could find the going tougher at cavernous Coors Field. Newcomb has struck out 61 and allowed 54 hits in 58 2/3 innings this season, but his 33 walks have helped lead to a 1.48 WHIP. Colorado starter, Freeland  is 6-4 with a 3.19 ERA in 11 home starts compared to 5-3, 4.22 on the road - unusual splits because of the difficulty pitching at altitude in a spacious ballpark.

Rating: 2 Units

Skaggs, who missed more than three months with an oblique injury, is still trying to find his control after issuing five walks in 10 1/3 innings since coming off the DL. Skaggs is 0-1 with a 2.28 ERA in four road starts this season. Washington starter, Gonzalez dominated in his last two outings, earning a pair of wins while yielding a total of one run and eight hits across 15 total innings.