Red Sox Series Preview: Round 2 @ Texas Rangers

May 24, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder (84) hits an RBI single in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Rangers’ Key Players To Watch:

• First baseman Prince Fielder is absolutely raking. He has five home runs and 15 RBIs in his last seven games, with a .469 batting average that suggests that he’s seeing pitches like giant beach balls. Fielder has 10 home runs and 38 RBIs for the season, to lead the Rangers, with a .368 season batting average. Often regarded as a power hitter, Fielder has also shown a keen eye at the plate, striking out only 25 times in 190 at-bats. Fielder will not be a case of home-run-or-easy-out for the Red Sox pitching staff, in this series.

• First baseman Mitch Moreland provides the Rangers the same advantage that Napoli provides the Red Sox with putting David Ortiz in the designated hitter role. Moreland’s hitting, as of late, has been steady, allowing the Rangers to use Fielder as the DH while putting two solid bats in the lineup. Moreland has hit .304 for the season, batting .345 with three home runs and six RBIs in his last seven games, providing some lethal at-bats that helped him record a .724 slugging percentage.

• Josh Hamilton is back. The prodigal outfielder returned three days ago, and he earned his first hit of the season yesterday. Putting his much-reported issues off of the field aside, Hamilton is a five-time All-Star and a former A.L. MVP, with incredible potential for unlocking a ton of power for the Rangers on offense. A nine-year veteran with 192 career home runs should never be taken lightly.