After taking the first game 9-2 last night, the Boston Red Sox look to take the series tonight in the second game of a three-game set with the Texas Rangers at historic Fenway Park.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Rangers television market, you can catch the game on FOX Sports Southwest. And if you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as the MLB Network will have coverage of the game (outside of Red Sox and Rangers television markets). If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.
Jon Lester looks to build off his last start in his 23rd start of 2012. In his previous 22 starts, Lester is 5-9 with a 5.36 ERA. He took the loss in his only start of 2012 against the Rangers after allowing seven runs in two innings of work back on April 17th. Lester has made nine career starts against the Rangers and is 3-2 with a 4.47 ERA. Six of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 2-2 with a 4.86 ERA.
Ryan Dempster makes his second start for the Rangers since coming over from the Chicago Cubs and his 17th overall. In his previous 16 starts, Dempster is 5-5 with a 2.82 ERA. He faced the Red Sox earlier this year as a member of the Cubs and earned the win after throwing seven shutout innings back on June 15th. Dempster has made five career appearances (four starts) against the local nine and is 2-1 with a 5.11 ERA. Two of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 0-1 with a 10.24 ERA (11 ER/9.2 IP).
Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.
Here are today’s lineups:
 63-44 |
 54-55 |
||
| 1. Ian Kinsler | 2B | 1. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
| 2. Elvis Andrus | SS | 2. Carl Crawford | LF |
| 3. Josh Hamilton | CF | 3. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
| 4. Adrian Beltre | 3B | 4. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B |
| 5. Nelson Cruz | RF | 5. Cody Ross | DH |
| 6. Michael Young | DH | 6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia | C |
| 7. Geovany Soto | C | 7. Mike Aviles | SS |
| 8. David Murphy | LF | 8. Ryan Kalish | RF |
| 9. Mike Olt | 1B | 9. Nick Punto | 3B |
| Ryan Dempster | SP | Jon Lester | SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:
REFRESH OR CHECK BACK OFTEN AS MORE LINKS WILL BE ADDED BEFORE GAMETIME IF/WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND WILL BE BOLDED
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
Ortiz eyeing possible return in Cleveland [rob bradford – weei.com]
David Ortiz feeling better, hopeful of being ready to play by Sunday [clubhouse insider]
Beckett: I’m happy, healthy, and not changing for the media [csn new england]
Youkilis’ charity steps up for N.H. youth league [csn new england]
Atchison told to rest; believes he can pitch again this year [csn new england]
Quick pregame notes: Ortiz takes BP [csn new england]
Ortiz feeling better, expects to play Sunday vs. Indians [csn new england]
Sox pregame notes: Beckett to pitch Wednesday [csn new england]
Time for Lucchino to go [csn new england]
Beckett: I’m ready to return Wednesday [espn boston]
Patience, patience: Sox not taking walks [espn boston]
Ortiz puts on a show in BP [espn boston]
Atchison opts out of surgery, eyes return [espn boston]
Injury bug worst in at least 41 seasons [espn boston]
Wild card opportunity still there for the Red Sox [extra bases]
Scott Atchison optimistic Tommy John surgery not needed [extra bases]
Ortiz optimistic about playing this weekend [extra bases]
A not-so-toolsy time for the Red Sox [full count]
Josh Beckett: Happy in Boston, Red Sox’ clubhouse ‘the exact opposite’ of dysfunctional [full count]
Scott Atchison Avoids Tommy John Surgery, Hopes to Bolster Bullpen After Getting More Rest [nesn.com]
David Ortiz Running Faster After Injection, Eyes Return Against Cleveland [nesn.com]
Pedro Ciriaco Making Strong Case to Become Staple in Red Sox Lineup for Years to Come [don orsillo – nesn.com]
Branford’s Mike Olt making good impression with Texas Rangers [new haven register]
Atchison won’t undergo surgery on tear in elbow [projo sox blog]
Ortiz making progress, could be activated this weekend [projo sox blog]
Middlebrooks gets a day off [projo sox blog]
Lester wants payback against Texas [redsox.com]
No surgery for Atchison; return possible [alex speier – weei.com]
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
photo credits: ap photo, getty images
