Red Sox Series Preview: Vs. Texas Rangers

May 16, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop

(1) celebrates with his teammates after scoring against the Cleveland Indians during the sixth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Red Sox (18-20) took four wins out of seven games from their West Coast road trip, recently. Winning their series against the Oakland Athletics and a tie against the Seattle Mariners may help their confidence in the future. Especially after beating King Felix Hernandez in his ‘home court’.

Now, the Red Sox look to make Fenway Park a fortress of their own, against the Texas Rangers (16-22). Boston will want to improve its home record of 7-9, while Texas will want to improve on its overall record of 4-6 in the last 10 games. The Red Sox are only 3.5 games back of the New York Yankees in the American League East division, while Texas is a good 9 games back of their brother club in Houston for the AL West crown.

Let’s look at the tale of the tape:

** All statistics come from MLB.com

May 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher

(20) pitches the ball against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Pitching Matchups @ Red Sox (Fenway Park)

May 19th @ 7:10 PM ET

• Yovani Gallardo (3-5, 3.94 ERA) vs. Wade Miley (2-4, 5.60 ERA)
• Gallardo’s right hand continues to throw pitches past the fifth inning, regardless of being hit often. The reason is that he keeps his team in the game. Gallardo has kept opposing teams within two or three runs in his last six starts. In that stretch, Gallardo threw six scoreless innings against the Mariners. He doesn’t show overwhelming strikeout skill, sitting down an average of just over 3 batters while giving up around five hits a game. If the Red Sox try to get on base, as opposed to trying to hit home runs every at-bat, they should have some success against Gallardo
• If Miley could stop giving out runs like it’s free coupons at the mall, the Red Sox could have even more of a chance to win. Even though he kept the Athletics, recently, from touching their run total, they still hit five times and earned four free trips to first base against Miley in just under seven innings. He gave up 13 runs in the three games before that start, including six runs in just over two innings against the Baltimore Orioles. Hopefully, for Boston, Miley can strike out enough Rangers to keep them off of the bases, as Texas is third in most strikeouts (305) in all of the American League.

May 20th @ 7:10 PM ET

• TBD vs. Joe Kelly (1-2, 5.58 ERA)
• Kelly’s last appearance, against the Mariners, was much better than the four starts before. He went into the seventh inning, allowing a single run on five hits, three walks, and two strikeouts. Kelly averaged just over 5 runs before that game. Kelly seemed to build confidence by making Seattle put the ball in play for the Red Sox defense to put them out, rather than trying to strike out the entire team by himself. Faith in his teammates should help Kelly have faith in himself.

May 21st @ 7:10 PM ET

• Wandy Rodriguez (1-2, 3.86 ERA) vs. Clay Buchholz (2-4, 4.93 ERA)
• The lefty Rodriguez has only started five games for Texas, as the Rangers have had to deal with their losing woes. His last start, a five-run drubbing against the Cleveland Indians, is not reflective of what he has done, so far this season. Rodriguez only lasted just under five innings in that game, while giving up eight hits. In three of the four games, before that defeat, Rodriguez gave up only a run per start. He has the skill to be stretched into the eighth inning; however, it’s a matter of how quick the bats get to him. Even with the small sample size, Rodriquez is more successful against right-handed batters (.188) than lefties (.320), so far. If those numbers hold true, we may need to see more of Daniel Nava in Boston’s starting lineup.
• Buchholz’s new name should be Mr. Inconsistent. He absolutely dominated the Mariners, in his last start, going eight innings with only three hits and a single run scored. He struck out 11 batters in that game. Buchholz gave up a combined 12 runs, while striking out 14 batters, in the previous three games. Instead of worrying about whether he should be the ‘ace’ or not of the team, let’s see if Buchholz can just do what he did in Seattle every time, from now on.

May 14, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter

(84) hits an rbi single during the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Rangers Key Players To Watch:

•  Designated hitter Prince Fielder is on a tear, lately. He has nine RBIs in his last seven games, hitting three home runs and a .393 batting average in that time. Being on the left side of the plate, Fielder has eaten up right-handed pitching for a .380 average for the season. Even in away games, he’s hit .293, proving that skill, and not a favorable ballpark, makes a great hitter truly remarkable.

• Third baseman Adrian Beltre has done relatively the same, as of late, hitting two home runs and seven RBIs, with a .357 batting average. Both him and Fielder have also been doing well at not striking out, lately, with a combined five strikeouts in that span. They are proving to be tough outs and impact the scoreboard when they get a hit.

• Right fielder Shin-Soo Choo is also on fire, in the last seven days, hitting .419 with three home runs and five RBIs. He may have three more strikeouts than Fielder and Beltre combined; however, this stretch has improved his season batting average to .242, suggesting that Choo has turned the corner on the year.

May 17, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder

(left) gets a high-five from shortstop

(2) after making a catch in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox Key Players To Watch:

• In the last seven games, center fielder Mookie Betts may only have hit .120, but all of his three hits led to three RBIs, which leads the team in that time, sadly. Offensively and defensively, Betts has proven to be clutch.

• After coming back from the disabled list, right fielder Shane Victorino has hit .353 in 17 at-bats, leading the team in batting average in that span. His double, home run, and a stolen base is evidence that Victorino wants to prove that the leg injury is in the past, and that he’s ready to heat up the present.

• Utility player Brock Holt has been letting his play speak for itself, hanging very much with the rest of the veterans on the club. His .307 season batting average, .267 in the last seven days, has been a result of his lefty bat adding variety to the Red Sox lineup. Look for Holt to take advantage of his .440 slugging power around the short fence in Fenway’s right field at some point, soon.