Boston Red Sox pitcher Junichi Tazawa looks out from the dugout prior to his first start as a major leaguer in Fenway Park against the Detroit Tigers in their baseball game in Boston, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

After losing last night to the Texas Rangers, the Boston Red Sox look to keep their lead in the wild card this afternoon at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, TX.

The game this afternoon will start at 2:05 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. If you live out of either television market you are in luck as this afternoon’s game is being broadcast on TBS as well. 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.

Rookie Junichi Tazawa makes his third appearance and second big league start for Terry Francona this afternoon. In his previous two appearances, Tazawa is 1-1 with a 4.05 ERA. After giving up 3 runs (1 earned) last time out against the Tigers, he settled down to pick up his first big league victory. He’s never faced the Rangers.

Dustin Nippert makes his 10th appearance and 6th start for Ron Washington this afternoon. He is 3-1 with a 3.62 ERA. He’s faced the Red Sox once this season, picking up the win after allowing a run in 5 2/3 innings back on July 22nd. In 4 games (1 start) against the Red Sox in his career, he is 1-1 with a 6.92 ERA.

This and that [Extra Bases]

Red Sox weekly recap (Week 19) [Batter-up with Bruno]

Here are the lineups for this afternoon’s game:

Boston Red Sox66-50

Texas Rangers65-50

1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF 1. Julio Borbon LF
2. Dustin Pedroia 2B 2. Michael Young 3B
3. Victor Martinez C 3. David Murphy DH
4. Jason Bay LF 4. Marlon Byrd CF
5. David Ortiz DH 5. Josh Hamilton RF
6. Mike Lowell 3B 6. Ian Kinsler 2B
7. Casey Kotchman 1B 7. Hank Blalock 1B
8. Brian Anderson RF 8. Taylor Teagarden C
9. Alex Gonzalez SS 9. Elvis Andrus SS
Junichi Tazawa SP Dustin Nippert SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against this afternoon’s starting pitchers. No one on the Rangers has faced Tazawa.

Boston Red Sox vs Dustin Nippert