Jon Lester pumps his fist after Royals Willie Bloomquist flied out to center to end the eighth inning. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

After taking 3-of-4 from the Detroit Tigers, the Boston Red Sox head to Texas for a key 3-game matchup with the Texas Rangers. The Red Sox currently hold a 1/2 lead over the Texas Rangers in the race for the wild card.

The game tonight will start at 8:05 PM EDT and will be televised in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Rangers television market, you can catch the game on FOX Sports Southwest. And if the television isn’t your cup of tea, you can catch the game on one of the many affiliates of the Red Sox Radio Network.

Jon Lester makes the start for the Red Sox tonight and holds the only win against the Rangers this season for the Red Sox. In that start back on June 6, he allowed one run in a complete game effort. He’s faced the Rangers four times in his career and is 2-0 with a 3.33 ERA. He’s never faced the Rangers in Texas. Lester is 9-7 with a 3.67 ERA in 23 starts on the season.

Kevin Millwood looks to continue his recent success against the Red Sox as he is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA against them in two starts. Overall in fourteen starts, Millwood is 6-4 with a 3.99 ERA. He’s made 22 starts on the season and is 9-7 with a 3.38 ERA.

How Gonzalez can help [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

Is Gonzalez an upgrade? [Extra Bases]

Ortiz moves down; Ellsbury OK [Extra Bases]

Matsuzaka throws again [Extra Bases]

Ortiz: “If you want to judge me, it’s on you” [Extra Bases]

Slump drops Ortiz in batting order [Clubhouse Insider]

Ortiz unhappy with treatment [Clubhouse Insider]

No surprise: It’s really, really hot in Texas [Projo Sox Blog]

Ortiz speaks his mind [Projo Sox Blog]

Former Sox prospect Negron reacts to trade[Full Count]

Meet Alex Gonzalez: They Say He Can Pick It [Nuggetpalooza]

Statement Series for Red Sox in Texas [NESN.com]

‘Tickets for Troops’ Another Example of Red Sox Community Outreach [Heidi Watney – NESN.com]

Papelbon: Bard is No Cinco Ocho [Jonathan Papelbon – Wicked Good Sports]

Cinco with Cinco: Reactions to People Charging the Mound [Jonathan Papelbon – Wicked Good Sports]

Here are the lineups for tonight’s game:

Boston Red Sox65-49

Texas Rangers64-49

1. Josh Reddick CF 1. Omar Vizquel 2B
2. Dustin Pedroia 2B 2. Michael Young 3B
3. Victor Martinez 1B 3. Marlon Byrd CF
4. Jason Bay LF 4. Andruw Jones DH
5. J.D. Drew RF 5. Josh Hamilton RF
6. Mike Lowell 3B 6. Hank Blalock 1B
7. David Ortiz DH 7. David Murphy LF
8. Jason Varitek C 8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
9. Nick Green SS 9. Elvis Andrus SS
Jon Lester SP Kevin Millwood SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers.

Boston Red Sox vs Texas Rangers batter/pitcher matchups