Rangers at Red Sox
The defending AL champion Rangers have picked up where they left off, winning eight of their first 10 before Monday’s off day. They’ll face a team in turmoil at Fenway Park. When Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine criticized Kevin Youkilis, teammates rallied around the third baseman. Then they lost 1-0 at home Monday to the Rays, falling to 4-6.
Everything is clicking for Texas. Slugger Josh Hamilton is off to a terrific start, batting .390 with four homers. The Rangers’ ERA is 2.30, by far the best in the AL. It is also the third best 10-game ERA in franchise history. Reliever Mike Adams is the bullpen’s unsung hero: he has five holds and has thrown 74 of his 98 pitches for strikes.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NESN, FSSW, MLB Network
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Colby Lewis (1-0, 1.42 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Jon Lester (0-1, 2.40 ERA)
Lewis is recapturing his 2010 form. He’s fanned 15 while walking one in 12 2/3 innings, and owns a fine WHIP of 1.03. But in 11 career appearances against Boston, including seven starts, Lewis is 2-3 with a 5.01 ERA.
Lester has pitched well in both his starts, but has gotten little support. He’s 3-1 with a 3.48 ERA in eight career starts against Texas. Ian Kinsler is just 3 for 19 against Lester, but two of the hits were homers. Michael Young is hitting .346 (9 for 26) vs. Lester.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rangers 1B Mitch Moreland had oral surgery Monday in Texas and is scheduled to rejoin the team in Boston. He missed the last two games with an abscessed tooth.
2. Boston advanced only one runner past first in Monday’s 1-0 home loss to the Rays.
3. Texas won the season series last year, 6-4.