After being spanked last night, the Boston Red Sox look to avenge the loss in the second game of a two-game set against the Texas Rangers at Historic Fenway Park tonight.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and the game will be broadcast 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 you don’t live in either market, you can watch the game on ESPN2. The game is also available on WatchESPN online. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.
Josh Beckett makes his third start of 2012 after one bad and one great start. In his two starts, Beckett is 1-1 with a 3.85 ERA. He made just one start against the Rangers in 2011 picking up the win on August 24th where he allowed one run in six innings of work. Beckett has made eight career starts against the Rangers and is 3-2 with a 5.03 ERA.
The Harry Caray impersonator Derek Holland makes his third start of the season for the Rangers. In his previous two starts, Holland is 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA. He picked up the win in his only start of 2011 against the Red Sox when he threw seven shutout innings on September 2nd. Holland has made three career starts against the local nine and is 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA. Two of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA (4 ER/11.2 IP).
Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the overnight and day if you’re on the home page.
Here are today’s lineups:
9-2 | 4-7 | ||
1. Ian Kinsler | 2B | 1. Mike Aviles | SS |
2. Elvis Andrus | SS | 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
3. Josh Hamilton | CF | 3. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B |
4. Adrian Beltre | 3B | 4. Cody Ross | RF |
5. Nelson Cruz | RF | 5. David Ortiz | DH |
6. David Murphy | LF | 6. Kevin Youkilis | 3B |
7. Mike Napoli | C | 7. Kelly Shoppach | C |
8. Mitch Moreland | DH | 8. Darnell McDonald | RF |
9. Brandon Snyder | CF | 9. Jason Repko | CF |
Derek Holland | SP | Josh Beckett | SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:
NOTE: Mark Melancon has been demoted to Triple-A Pawtucket. Junichi Tazawa has been called up to replace him on the 25-man roster.
REFRESH OR CHECK BACK OFTEN AS MORE LINKS WILL BE ADDED BEFORE GAMETIME IF/WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND WILL BE BOLDED
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Red Sox option Mark Melancon to Triple-A, recall Junichi Tazawa [Clubhouse Insider]
Ellsbury: ‘Got to stay positive’ through shoulder rehab [Clubhouse Insider]
Pregame notes: Sixth sense for Youk, Tito’s return, Bobby V on TV [Clubhouse Insider]
Buccigross: Tito’s coming to the celebration Friday [CSN New England]
Red Sox send Melancon to Pawtucket [CSN New England]
Ellsbury: No timetable for return [CSN New England]
Can Beckett douse the red-hot Rangers? [ESPN Boston]
Notes: Inside Youkilis’ slump [ESPN Boston]
How Ortiz turned it around vs. lefties [ESPN Boston]
Red Sox send Melancon to Pawtucket [ESPN Boston]
Red Sox turn to Beckett to bounce back [ESPN Boston]
Terry Francona changed course, will attend Boston Red Sox Fenway ceremony [ESPN Boston]
Ellsbury in clubhouse; no timetable [ESPN Boston]
Ask Nick: It’s early, but plenty of questions [Extra Bases]
As Youkilis struggles, Middlebrooks impresses [Extra Bases]
Melancon optioned to Pawtucket [Extra Bases]
Ellsbury comments on his injury [Extra Bases]
Bobby V’s must-see TV [Extra Bases]
Francona will attend Fenway Park anniversary celebration on Friday [Extra Bases]
Red Sox considering Lester for Sunday [Extra Bases]
Youkilis dropped down in order [Extra Bases]
Why Bobby Valentine really doesn’t matter [Full Count]
When will it be time for pitching prospect Matt Barnes to get promoted? [Full Count]
Fenway at 100: Park’s quirky design due in part to rushed delivery, happenstance [Full Count]
Buster Olney on M&M: Bobby Valentine has ‘got to worry about the players’ more than media [Full Count]
Should the Red Sox Officially Name a Team Captain This Season? [NESN.com]
Red Sox Option Mark Melancon to Pawtucket, Recall Right-Hander Junichi Tazawa [NESN.com]
Jacoby Ellsbury ‘Definitely’ Returning This Season, Admits He Can’t Watch Replay Of His Injury [NESN.com]
Neftali Feliz Believes In Daniel Bard’s Transition to Starter, As He Undergoes Similar Switch [NESN.com]
Struggling Melancon sent to Pawtucket [Projo Sox Blog]
First-round pick Barnes shredding Single-A [Projo Sox Blog]
Valentine could juggle rotation for weekend series [Projo Sox Blog]
Maddux on reliever conversions: “You can’t waver” [Projo Sox Blog]
Red Sox conscious of “clock ticking” with Matsuzaka [Projo Sox Blog]
Crawford hits home run, still not close to throwing in outfield [Projo Sox Blog]
Ellsbury: “We don’t have a timetable right now” [Projo Sox Blog]
Red Sox seeking split with Rangers behind Beckett [RedSox.com]
Red Sox option Melancon, promote Tazawa [RedSox.com]
Francona will attend Fenway ceremony Friday [RedSox.com]
Anderson seeks versatility and opportunity with new position [SoxProspects.com]
Crawford homers in Fort Myers game [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Valentine: Youkilis ‘a bloop away’ [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
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Photo credits: AP Photo, Getty Images