Game 30: Red Sox at Rangers - Lineups and more
Ben Whitehead
Contributing Writer
For the second series in a row (and just the second time all season), the Boston Red Sox (20-9) lost their series opener, a 7-0 spanking by the Texas Rangers (18-11). The Red Sox will look to bounce back again tonight by sending John Lackey (1-1, 2.61 ERA) to the bump. In his last outing, Lackey went six innings and gave up just one run on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks to earn the win against the Astros.
Here’s tonight’s lineup (first pitch - 8:05 pm EDT):
1. Ellsbury, CF
2. Victorino, RF
3. Pedroia, 2B
4. Ortiz, DH
5. Napoli, 1B
6. Nava, LF
7. Saltalamacchia, C
8. Middlebrooks, 3B
9. Drew, SS
Lackey, P
Alexi Ogando ( 2-2, 3.38 ERA) takes the mound for the Rangers. The righty will attempt to duplicate what Derek Holland did against this potent Sox lineup. Holland’s line from last night: 8 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 9 K, 1 BB.
23 and counting…
With a single in the second inning of last night’s game, David Ortiz extended his hitting streak to 23 games. Big Papi’s streak is unusual in that the streak has reached over 10 months in length, dating back to July 2, 2012. When Ortiz went on the disabled list mid-July and again later in August for Achilles problems, his hitting streak stood at 12 games. He missed the first part of this season recovering from soreness in his heels and has continued the streak in the 11 games he’s played thus far. According to Red Sox Game Notes (via @RedSox), it is the longest hitting streak by a Red Sox since Dustin Pedroia in 2011, and the longest ever by a Sox DH.
Texas two-step
Lackey, a Texas native, is 12-14, 6.16 against the Rangers in his career, and 7-6, 6.68 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. This will mark his 37th career start against Texas, his most against any team. Other than Angel Stadium (114) and Fenway Park (45), he has pitched more games at Rangers Ballpark (18) than any other stadium. Lackey was born in Abilene, 165 miles from Arlington.
End of 10-game mini-season
As previously noted, I break down the season into mini-seasons. The Red Sox went 6-4 and 7-3, respectively, over their first two mini-seasons. With a win tonight, Boston would have its best mini-season yet at 8-2. A loss still gives the Sox a 7-3 record over the last 10 games.
Let us know what you think about tonight’s game by commenting below.
Like what you read? See more from Ben here.
As always, give me a shout on Twitter: @thebenwhitehead
Contributing Writer
For the second series in a row (and just the second time all season), the Boston Red Sox (20-9) lost their series opener, a 7-0 spanking by the Texas Rangers (18-11). The Red Sox will look to bounce back again tonight by sending John Lackey (1-1, 2.61 ERA) to the bump. In his last outing, Lackey went six innings and gave up just one run on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks to earn the win against the Astros.
Here’s tonight’s lineup (first pitch - 8:05 pm EDT):
1. Ellsbury, CF
2. Victorino, RF
3. Pedroia, 2B
4. Ortiz, DH
5. Napoli, 1B
6. Nava, LF
7. Saltalamacchia, C
8. Middlebrooks, 3B
9. Drew, SS
Lackey, P
Alexi Ogando ( 2-2, 3.38 ERA) takes the mound for the Rangers. The righty will attempt to duplicate what Derek Holland did against this potent Sox lineup. Holland’s line from last night: 8 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 9 K, 1 BB.
23 and counting…
With a single in the second inning of last night’s game, David Ortiz extended his hitting streak to 23 games. Big Papi’s streak is unusual in that the streak has reached over 10 months in length, dating back to July 2, 2012. When Ortiz went on the disabled list mid-July and again later in August for Achilles problems, his hitting streak stood at 12 games. He missed the first part of this season recovering from soreness in his heels and has continued the streak in the 11 games he’s played thus far. According to Red Sox Game Notes (via @RedSox), it is the longest hitting streak by a Red Sox since Dustin Pedroia in 2011, and the longest ever by a Sox DH.
Texas two-step
Lackey, a Texas native, is 12-14, 6.16 against the Rangers in his career, and 7-6, 6.68 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. This will mark his 37th career start against Texas, his most against any team. Other than Angel Stadium (114) and Fenway Park (45), he has pitched more games at Rangers Ballpark (18) than any other stadium. Lackey was born in Abilene, 165 miles from Arlington.
End of 10-game mini-season
As previously noted, I break down the season into mini-seasons. The Red Sox went 6-4 and 7-3, respectively, over their first two mini-seasons. With a win tonight, Boston would have its best mini-season yet at 8-2. A loss still gives the Sox a 7-3 record over the last 10 games.
Let us know what you think about tonight’s game by commenting below.
Like what you read? See more from Ben here.
As always, give me a shout on Twitter: @thebenwhitehead
