Red Sox at Rangers
Rick Porcello looks to continue his undefeated start when the Boston Red Sox visit the Texas Rangers on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series. Porcello has not factored in the decision in either of his last two outings after winning his first four starts.
Porcello has won six consecutive decisions dating back to last season and will look to help the Red Sox bounce back from an 11-5 pummeling in Thursday's series opener. Mookie Betts homered for the fourth time in a two-game span and leads the major leagues with 12 blasts. Nomar Mazara is swinging his own hot bat for Texas with three homers in as many contests, and his career-best five-RBI output on Thursday gives him 10 in a four-game span. Delino DeShields recorded two hits for the fourth time in five games and is 11-for-31 during his seven-game hitting streak.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (4-0, 2.23 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Bartolo Colon (1-0, 2.87)
Porcello did not receive a decision against Tampa Bay in his last turn, when he gave up three runs and seven hits over 7 2/3 innings. The 29-year-old hasn't issued a free pass in four of his six starts and has registered 38 strikeouts against walks in 40 1/3 frames. Porcello is 6-4 with a 5.52 ERA in 11 career starts versus the Rangers, who are hitting a collective .336 against him.
Colon is making his fifth start of the season after picking up his first win of the campaign in his last turn, when he gave up three runs and six hits over seven innings against Toronto. The 44-year-old has a stellar 0.86 WHIP over 31 1/3 frames and has struck out 21 while issuing just three walks. Colon is 9-11 with a 3.76 ERA in 29 career appearances (27 starts) versus Boston but is starting against the club for the first time since July 14, 2013, when he was pitching for Oakland.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rangers have won two straight against the Red Sox since losing last season's first five meetings.
2. Boston CF Jackie Bradley Jr. was hitless in four at-bats in the opener and is 2-for-29 with 12 strikeouts over his last nine appearances.
3. Texas recalled LHP Yohander Mendez from Round Rock and optioned RHP Nick Gardewine to the Triple-A affiliate while activating Carlos Perez, who was claimed off waivers from Atlanta, and designating fellow C Juan Centeno for assignment.