Boston Red Sox (79-50) @ Texas Rangers (74-57)
Andrew Miller(5-1, 4.99) @ Alexi Ogando (12-5, 3.30)
8:05 PM EDT | Rangers Ballpark In Arlington (Arlington, TX)
TV: NESN, MLBN RADIO: WEEI 850, WWZN 1510
GAME NOTES
Andrew Miller is quite the enigma. After looking like he didn’t deserve a spot in the starting rotation, he pitched a solid game in his last start against the Royals (solid being a relative term). He went 5 1/3 innings, giving up only one earned run, and picked up a win. he only walked two, and allowed three hits. He still has a 1.81 WHIP on the year to go along with his 5-1 record and 4.99 ERA, so his last start could very well be an outlier. Facing a loaded Texas lineup should be a true test for where Miller is at, and whether he will play a more pivotal role on this team in the weeks to come. Converted set up man, Alexi Ogando, will take the mound for Texas. He’s having a spectacular season, coming into tonight’s game with a 3.30 ERA and a 12-5 record. His last start was a quality one against the White Sox. He went seven innings, allowing only two runs while striking out five. The Rangers went on to lose the game 3-2. With a win tonight, the Sox would take three game of four in a potential playoff matchup. You can be nothing but happy about that.
Boston
- Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
- Jed Lowrie, SS
- Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- David Ortiz, DH
- Carl Crawford, LF
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
- Josh Reddick, RF
- Marco Scutaro, SS
Texas
- Ian Kinsler, 2B
- Elvis Andrus, SS
- Josh Hamilton, LF
- Michael Young, DH
- Nelson Cruz, RF
- Mike Napoli, 1B
- Yorvit Torrealba, C
- Craig Gentry, CF
- Omar Quintanilla, 3B
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
-After being shutout in the series opener, Boston has scored 24 runs in the last two games.
-Carl Crawford’s five hits yesterday tied a career high.
-Ogando has a 5.19 ERA in his last six starts.
-With a win tonight, the Sox will be 30 games over .500 for the first time since 2007.