Everything's big in Texas, especially this series with the Red Sox
Everything's big in Texas, especially this series with the Red Sox
Separated by just a half-game at the top of the AL Wild Card race, the Red Sox and Rangers meet in the Lone Star State in this weekend's biggest series.
We've reached the point where all series are going to be big with one side or the other still holding out hope for a spot in the playoffs. Of the 15 series to take place this weekend, only the Washington, Cincinnati matchup that started on Thursday fits the 'meaningless series' category.
The most critical series in terms of present standings will take place here in Texas when the Rangers host the Red Sox for three games. Boston holds a slim half-game lead over Texas in the current AL Wild Card standings and this could prove to the series that the Sox end the Rangers' chances or the Rangers establish themselves as true contenders this season.
Game 1 is slated for Friday night at the Ballpark That Dubya Built with first pitch at 8:05 p.m. (ET). The series opener also boasts the best pitching matchup of the set when Jon Lester (14-9, 3.67) takes the mound for the Red Sox with the Rangers countering with Kevin Millwood (12-10, 3.38).
Texas comes off a 10-game road trip that started out very badly before finishing on a high note. The Rangers dropped the first three games away from home in Oakland before rebounding to go 5-5 on the excursion, including taking two of three from both the Angels and Indians. Pitching and defense was the key over the last half of the trip with Texas hurlers allowing just nine runs in the last five games.
Boston is off a short-lived four-game homestand this week when they got the better of Detroit three games to one. That was a nice rebound from being swept in New York last weekend when their bats went completely cold.
Red Sox hitters were on the ball the first three games in beating the Tigers 6-5, 7-5 and 8-2 before Justin Verlander quieted the sticks in Thursdays 2-0 Detroit triumph.
Game 2 will find Brady Penny (11-11, 5.16) for Boston against Texas rookie Derek Holland (5-7, 5.04), with the series finale on Sunday pitting Junichi Tazawa (1-0, 4.05) against Dustin Nippert (2-3, 3.62).
After starting the season with a 6.07 ERA and 3-5 personal mark in his first 10 starts, Lester has really turned things around with a 2.05 ERA in the 13 starts since then, including his only complete game of the year against these Rangers in Boston on June 6 (11 K, 2 hits, 1 run). Michael Young (7-for-14 lifetime) will be his key out to get in this one.
Millwood has been steady all season for the Rangers and also won a game with a fine performance when the two squads met earlier this season in Boston. That was, however, an aberration when taking on these Red Sox hitters over his career. He catches a break with Kevin Youkilis out serving a suspension, with Youk hitting .467 (7-15) against Millwood. But you've still got Victor Martinez (.429, 6-14), Jason Varitek (.414, 12-29), David Ortiz (.360, 3 HR), Casey Kotchman (.333, 3 HR) and Mike Lowell (.339, 2 HR) that the Texas righthander has had very bad luck facing.
It's going to be hotter than fresh-loved sheep in Texas this weekend, and you can look for 95º and higher for the Friday and Saturday night starts, with temps on the field well over 100º for the Sunday afternoon contest that starts at 1:05 p.m. locally. In that game, look for the temp to rise from the low 90s over triple digits as the game progresses.
Lester gets the -130 chalk tonight, which seems a fair line though it’s tempting to take the +120 or so on Millwood given how the Rangers have played at home. I’m going to instead just play the Rangers at even money to take two of three this weekend, possibly giving the total a peek on Saturday when Penny and Holland meet up.
Separated by just a half-game at the top of the AL Wild Card race, the Red Sox and Rangers meet in the Lone Star State in this weekend's biggest series.
We've reached the point where all series are going to be big with one side or the other still holding out hope for a spot in the playoffs. Of the 15 series to take place this weekend, only the Washington, Cincinnati matchup that started on Thursday fits the 'meaningless series' category.
The most critical series in terms of present standings will take place here in Texas when the Rangers host the Red Sox for three games. Boston holds a slim half-game lead over Texas in the current AL Wild Card standings and this could prove to the series that the Sox end the Rangers' chances or the Rangers establish themselves as true contenders this season.
Game 1 is slated for Friday night at the Ballpark That Dubya Built with first pitch at 8:05 p.m. (ET). The series opener also boasts the best pitching matchup of the set when Jon Lester (14-9, 3.67) takes the mound for the Red Sox with the Rangers countering with Kevin Millwood (12-10, 3.38).
Texas comes off a 10-game road trip that started out very badly before finishing on a high note. The Rangers dropped the first three games away from home in Oakland before rebounding to go 5-5 on the excursion, including taking two of three from both the Angels and Indians. Pitching and defense was the key over the last half of the trip with Texas hurlers allowing just nine runs in the last five games.
Boston is off a short-lived four-game homestand this week when they got the better of Detroit three games to one. That was a nice rebound from being swept in New York last weekend when their bats went completely cold.
Red Sox hitters were on the ball the first three games in beating the Tigers 6-5, 7-5 and 8-2 before Justin Verlander quieted the sticks in Thursdays 2-0 Detroit triumph.
Game 2 will find Brady Penny (11-11, 5.16) for Boston against Texas rookie Derek Holland (5-7, 5.04), with the series finale on Sunday pitting Junichi Tazawa (1-0, 4.05) against Dustin Nippert (2-3, 3.62).
After starting the season with a 6.07 ERA and 3-5 personal mark in his first 10 starts, Lester has really turned things around with a 2.05 ERA in the 13 starts since then, including his only complete game of the year against these Rangers in Boston on June 6 (11 K, 2 hits, 1 run). Michael Young (7-for-14 lifetime) will be his key out to get in this one.
Millwood has been steady all season for the Rangers and also won a game with a fine performance when the two squads met earlier this season in Boston. That was, however, an aberration when taking on these Red Sox hitters over his career. He catches a break with Kevin Youkilis out serving a suspension, with Youk hitting .467 (7-15) against Millwood. But you've still got Victor Martinez (.429, 6-14), Jason Varitek (.414, 12-29), David Ortiz (.360, 3 HR), Casey Kotchman (.333, 3 HR) and Mike Lowell (.339, 2 HR) that the Texas righthander has had very bad luck facing.
It's going to be hotter than fresh-loved sheep in Texas this weekend, and you can look for 95º and higher for the Friday and Saturday night starts, with temps on the field well over 100º for the Sunday afternoon contest that starts at 1:05 p.m. locally. In that game, look for the temp to rise from the low 90s over triple digits as the game progresses.
Lester gets the -130 chalk tonight, which seems a fair line though it’s tempting to take the +120 or so on Millwood given how the Rangers have played at home. I’m going to instead just play the Rangers at even money to take two of three this weekend, possibly giving the total a peek on Saturday when Penny and Holland meet up.
