The Rangers continue their run of AL East opponents on Friday night as they head north to Massachusetts to take on the Red Sox in Boston. Texas just concluded a three-game series with the Rays in Arlington and will head down to Tampa Bay after the series in Boston to take on the Rays - again.
Texas enters Boston holding a three and a half game lead over the second place Los Angeles Angels. While the Rangers are taking on the American League's top team in Boston, the Angels will play host to the lowly Minnesota Twins.
Derek Holland starts for the Rangers on Friday as they look to start the series in Boston with a win. Texas, of course, will be praying that the good version of Holland shows up tonight, as he has easily been Texas' most inconsistent pitcher this season. Holland, though, is coming off of a win against the Angels, a game in which he pitched 6.1 innings, giving up one run on eight hits and a walk while striking out six. Holland's BAA and WHIP stand at a mediocre 1.43 and .277 headed into Friday's game.
Texas' offense will face off against Andrew Miller, who held the Rangers to three hits while walking just two in 6.1 innings without allowing a run last week. Miller's numbers are still atrocious on the season, and with Jon Lester having lasted just five innings last night, Boston will need Miller to pitch reasonably deep into the game.
First pitch from Fenway Park is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CDT.