Red Sox Series Preview: Round 2 @ Texas Rangers

May 25, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter

(84) hits a two-run home run in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Red Sox (21-26) play their first game of their four-game series against the Texas Rangers (23-24) in Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas. The Red Sox were, recently, swept by the Minnesota Twins, and they are looking to break their losing trend with a victory. Boston has a record of 3-7 in their last 10 games, to sit dead last in the American League East division; however, it makes them only four games back of the top spot.

The Rangers are in fourth place in the A.L. West division, sitting 6.5 games back of the lead. However, they are one of the hottest teams in baseball, right now, going 8-2 in their last 10 games. Being at home is the main factor as to why they are not winning the division, posting a home record of 6-13 for the 2015 season. The Red Sox will want to exploit that record, somehow, if they wish to overcome their own deficit. Boston is 11-14 away from Fenway Park.

Let’s look at the tale of the tape:

** All statistics come from MLB.com

Mar 12, 2015; Bradenton, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher

(79) pitches during a spring training baseball game at McKechnie Field. The Boston Red Sox beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Pitching Matchups @ Rangers (Globe Life Park)

May 28th @ 8:05 PM ET

• Eduardo Rodriguez (debut) vs. Nick Martinez (4-0, 1.96 ERA)
• Rodriguez makes his debut for the Red Sox, after being called up from the minors. The lefty from Venezuela is featured in Conor Duffy’s report, yesterday for BoSox Injection
• The righty Martinez has started nine games, with no losses. The reason why he only has four wins is because of run support. Despite the Rangers being fifth in all of Major League Baseball for runs scored, Martinez has not had his games in line for the victory, when he is relieved.

May 29th @ 8:05 PM ET

• Steven Wright (2-1, 3.68 ERA) vs. Yovani Gallardo (4-6, 4.13 ERA)
• Wright has done the job of filling in for the injured Justin Masterson nicely. In his last three appearances, Wright has pitched past the fifth inning, allowing three or fewer earned runs on six or fewer hits. Even in the loss, Wright only gave up two earned runs to the Seattle Mariners in five innings. Eventually, if the Red Sox wish to succeed, their bats will have to support Wright’s good outings.
• The righty Gallardo has thrown better at home (3.55 ERA) than in away games (4.60). In his last three starts, Gallardo posted a 2-1 record; however, the loss came against the Red Sox, where he gave up 10 hits and four earned runs.

May 30th @ 7:15 PM ET

• Wade Miley (4-4, 4.47 ERA) vs. To Be Determined by Rangers
• Miley’s last three starts have all been victories. He has pitched deep into the frames, reaching the end of the eighth inning in his last start against the Los Angeles Angels. This span has seen Miley allow only a combined three earned runs with six walks and 10 strikeouts. Depending whom the Rangers decide to send on the mound, Miley’s recent strategy, of letting the defense get the majority of the outs, should help him secure another win.

May 31st @ 3:05 PM ET

• Joe Kelly (1-4, 6.24 ERA) vs. To Be Determined by Rangers
• Your guess is as good as anyone’s, when it comes to predicting Kelly’s next performance. In his last three starts, Kelly has lost twice. Only one of those losses was a bad one, which was his latest outing against the Angels. He surrendered seven earned runs on eight hits in only 1.2 innings of work. His previous loss was at the hands of the Rangers; however, Kelly only allowed two earned runs on seven hits in seven innings. He had seven strikeouts in that game, too. Kelly could be amazing, terrible, or could just not get any run support to even sniff a win.

May 27, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman

(15) celebrates his home run with center fielder

(50) in the third inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox’ Key Players To Watch:

• Second baseman Dustin Pedroia is leading the offensively inept Red Sox lineup with a .393 batting average, in the last seven days. In times of turmoil, you turn to your veteran leaders for guidance through the storm. With designated hitter David Ortiz being moved to the five-spot in the lineup, Pedroia will be called upon in this series to lead off and show the way to past glory. He’s hit two home runs and six RBIs in that same stretch.

• First baseman Mike Napoli was on a tear against one of his former teams: the Los Angeles Angels. In the last seven games, Napoli hit .333 with four home runs and nine RBIs. The issue is that, maybe, Napoli can only do it against the Angels. In the series against the Twins, Napoli hit only three times out of 11 at-bats, driving in a single run. For the 2015 season, Napoli is hitting .208, after spending most of his time below .200 in both April and May. Boston is hoping that same magic that Napoli had for one former team will happen again, while playing against another of his former teams.

• Center fielder Mookie Betts may have only eight hits in his last 28 at-bats, but he found a way to get three RBIs in that span. The whole team is struggling at the plate, with Betts being bumped to second in the lineup. It will be interesting to see how the young man from Nashville, Tennessee responds, before the All-Star Break in July.

May 27, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher

(36) in the dugout in the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Minnesota Twins beat the Boston Red Sox 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Predictions:

Game One Winner – Texas Rangers

• They will ride their hot streak against the newly-appointed starter for the Red Sox

Game Two Winner – Boston Red Sox

• Wright will be just right for his team, while Gallardo will flounder

Game Three Winner – Boston Red Sox

• Miley, finally, knows how to handle the American League hitting (maybe)

Game Four Winner – Texas Rangers

• A winner had to be picked. Kelly’s outings are as mysterious as the to-be-determined Rangers starter

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