Boston Red Sox (78-50) @ Texas Rangers (74-56)
Josh Beckett (10-5, 2.46) @ Matt Harrison (10-8, 3.28)
7:00 PM EDT | Rangers Ballpark In Arlington (Arlington, TX)
TV: NESN, ESPN2 RADIO: WEEI 850, WWZN 1510

GAME NOTES

The Red Sox played their first three games of the season in Arlington. Josh Beckett did not start any of them. Relegated to fourth in the rotation, Beckett watched as the Sox were swept away, beginning the 0-6 stretch that sent Boston into a panic. Four months later he returns, perhaps having something to prove. Beckett has the lowest ERA of any Boston starter, and there is a good chance that he could be starting game one of the playoffs for the Sox. He finally picked up his tenth win in his last start, a seven inning effort against Kansas City in which he gave up three runs. He struck out four and walked none.

The lefty, Matt Harriston, takes the mound for the Rangers. He has been very consistent this year, posting a 10-8 record and a 3.28 ERA. He struggled in his last start, going only 4 1/3 innings against the White Sox, giving up four runs (three earned) while striking out four and walking three. The Sox got a huge offensive and defensive boost last night with the return of Jacoby Ellsbury. They’ll get another big boost (although not defensively…) with David Ortiz returning after missing nine games with right heel bursitis. He’ll be back in his customary DH spot, and will bat fifth. Josh Reddick gets the day off in place of Darnell McDonald, who will bat ninth and play right field.

Boston

  1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
  2. Marco Scutaro, SS
  3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
  4. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
  5. David Ortiz, DH
  6. Jed Lowrie, 3B
  7. Carl Crawford, LF
  8. Jason Varitek, C
  9. Darnell McDonald, RF

Texas

  1. Ian Kinsler, DH
  2. Elvis Andrus, SS
  3. Josh Hamilton, LF
  4. Michael Young, 3B
  5. Mike Napoli, C
  6. Mitch Moreland, 1B
  7. David Murphy, RF
  8. Endy Chavez, CF
  9. Omar Quintanilla, 2B

INJURY REPORT
Boston: Clay Buchholz, lower back strain (placed on 15-day DL June 19, retroactive to June 17); J.D. Drew, left shoulder impingement (placed on 15-day DL July 26); Bobby Jenks, strained back (placed on 15-day DL July 16); Kevin Youkilis, sore back (Placed on 15 day DL August 18)
Texas: Adrian Beltre, strained hamstring (placed on 15-day DL July 23rd); Andres Blanco, lower back inflamattion (Placed on 15 day DL August 9th)


Stats

-Before his two homers last night, Gonzalez had hit only one in his previous 155 at bats.

-Ortiz was 13 for his last 26 before missing the last nine games.

-Beckett is 1-2 with a 6.37 ERA in his last six starts against the Rangers.

-Harrison is 4-0 with a 2.16 ERA in his last six home starts.