GAME: Boston Red Sox (10-6) at Tampa Bay Devil Rays (6-10).

TIME: Friday, 7:15 p.m. EDT.

Tim Wakefield and the Boston Red Sox hope to continue their mastery of Tampa Bay as they begin a three-game series against the Devil Rays at Tropicana Field.

Wakefield has dominated Tampa Bay with an 11-1 record and a 2.84 ERA in 25 career appearances, including 15 starts. The veteran right-hander is 10-0 against the Devil Rays since they beat him April 16, 1999, in Boston.

Wakefield is 2-0 with a 1.37 ERA after three starts overall this season, including a 3-1 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday to complete Boston's three-game sweep of the series at Fenway Park.

Like retired knuckleballers Charlie Hough and Phil Niekro, who pitched successfully into their 40s, the 38-year-old Wakefield thinks his best days might be ahead.

"I feel great health-wise," he said. "My arm doesn't bother me. My legs are fine."

Boston hopes Wakefield can extend its run of exceptional starts.

Matt Clement scattered eight hits over eight innings as the Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 1-0 on Thursday night to complete a two-game sweep.

"It is all about the pitchers. We're only as good as our pitchers," Boston catcher Jason Varitek said.

Duplicating the outing of David Wells one night earlier, Clement pitched eight scoreless innings before giving way to the bullpen.

The Orioles had scored at least seven runs in five of six games before the Red Sox came to town, but they were no match for a rotation that has posted a 1.13 ERA over the last seven games.

"Our pitchers are all pitching great right now," Millar said. "We're a good ballclub, but we need starting pitching."

Crawford had a tiebreaking groundout in Tampa Bay's 3-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Thursday.

The Devil Ray's have won two of three after losing four straight.

"Put one in the win column, it puts a little wind in your sail," Tampa Bay manager Lou Piniella said.

STANDINGS: Red Sox - 1st place, AL East. Devil Rays - 5th place, 4 GB, AL East.

RED SOX PROBABLE STARTER: Wakefield (2-0, 1.37 ERA). Wakefield has been nearly perfect for Boston, allowing only three earned runs in three starts. The knuckleballer held the Devil Rays to one run and four hits while striking out five in six innings to earn a 3-1 win over Tampa in his last start on Sunday.

DEVIL RAYS PROBABLE STARTER: Scott Kazmir (0-1, 4.80 ERA). Kazmir has struggled with his control and is still searching for his first win. The young southpaw has lasted only five innings in each of his three starts, throwing 89, 100 and 97 pitches respectively. The 21-year-old hurler was touched up for three runs and six hits in five innings of a 3-1 loss to the Red Sox on Sunday. He struck out three and walked four.

OFFENSIVE LEADERS: Red Sox - Jason Varitek, .353 avg.; Manny Ramirez, 5 HRs, 17 RBIs and 13 runs; Johnny Damon, 3 SBs. Devil Rays - Jorge Cantu, .318 avg. and 3 HRs; Carl Crawford, 15 RBIs; Crawford and Aubrey Huff, 10 runs; Julio Lugo, 6 SBs.

SEASON SERIES: Red Sox, 3-0.

STREAKS AND NOTES: Red Sox - RHP Wakefield passed Bob Stanley for seventh place in team history with 116 wins. If he wins eight games this year, he will trail only Roger Clemens (192) and Cy Young (192) on Boston's all-time wins list. ... The Red Sox have scored only three first-inning runs this season. ... 3B Bill Mueller did not play Thursday because of a sinus infection. He is day-to-day. Devil Rays - OF Huff is hitting .095 (4-for-42) in his career against Wakefield. ... RHP Danys Baez converted his first save opportunity of the season for Tampa Bay on Thursday. ... OF Crawford is hitting .389 (14-for-34) with four doubles against Wakefield. He's stolen six bases without being caught against the knuckleballer.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Red Sox - 4-4 on the road; Devil Rays - 5-6 at home.

INJURIES: Red Sox - OF Adam Stern (thumb), 15-day DL; RHP Wade Miller (shoulder), 15-day DL. Devil Rays - C Kevin Cash (shoulder), 15-day DL; RHP Jesus Colome (shoulder), 15-day DL; LHP Mark Hendrickson (shoulder), 15-day DL; RHP Franklin Nunez (shoulder), 15-day DL; OF Rocco Baldelli (knee), 60-day DL.