Boston Red Sox and the Texas Rangers Open Second Half of Season
The Boston Red Sox return to Fenway Park tonight to open the second half of the season against the Texas Rangers in a four-game series. Both clubs have had tremendous success during the opening half of the season and were well represented during the All-Stars. But the fun and games are over and the players are ready to get back to business.
Tim Wakefield will get the start in the series opener against the Rangers, followed by Clay Buchholz, John Lackey, Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka. As of lately, both Buchholz and Lester have been the backbone for the Red Sox and were selected to this year's All-Star team.
Buchholz is 10-4 with a 2.45 ERA, while Lester is 11-3 with a 2.78 ERA. Boston has been hit hard by the injury bug and will have to rely on their starting pitching to make it deep into the post season.
"The first month of the season was really difficult for a lot of reasons, but we got through it," manager Terry Francona said. "I know it's not perfect, I recognize that, but the level of intensity and trying to do the right thing has been off the charts. It's been a challenge, but one that I think we've all kind of enjoyed."
If the Red Sox take pleasure in challenges, they will enjoy playing a tough Rangers club which sits atop the American League West and carries a 4½-game lead in the AL West.
The Rangers are on pace for their first play-off appearance since 1999. If they keep up their solid play, they have a formidable offence that can make noise in the play-offs. In order to break this post-season drought, the Rangers have added All-Star Cliff Lee to the staff.
Before coming over in a trade from the Mariners, Lee displayed his ability to perform when the game matters. He was 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five post-season starts last year for the Phillies and more impressively, he was 2-0 against the New York Yankees in the World Series, displaying his ability to play in the biggest games.
While Lee did give up six runs in nine innings in his Texas début, the club remains confident in his ability to win games.
"[He was] pounding the strike zone, throwing to contact," manager Ron Washington said. "They caught a couple, but that performance right there, without the runs on the board, I'll take it every day. He's going to be fine."
After the break, Washington's rotation will be Hunter, Lewis, Lee, Wilson and Scott Feldman.
In two games against the Red Sox, Tommy Hunter has a 1-1 record and an 11.74 ERA.
Right handed pitchers Clay Buchholz and Josh Beckett (back) have missed significant time. Unfortunately for Boston, the list does not end there. Second basemen Dustin Pedroia (fractured left foot), outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (broken ribs), Victor Martinez, Jason Varitek (fractured right foot), third basemen Mike Lowell (right hip) have all been sidelined at one point during the season.
However, against all odds, the Red Sox still only trail the Yankees by five games in the AL East.
"We have a really good team," said Dustin Pedroia. "We have one of the best teams in baseball. If we can play well enough and get healthy, we have a chance to win a championship. Hopefully that happens."
The Dominican slugger, David Ortiz already will be looking to carry his success shown in the home run derby during the All-Stars. When he plays to his ability, Boston is hard to beat. The six-time All-Star will have to lead with his play if the injury bug continues to haunt this ball club.
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