Good morning from Texas. Here are the lineups:
RED SOX (18-18)
Pedroia 2B
Victorino RF
Ortiz DH
Napoli 1B
Gomes LF
Bogaerts SS
Pierzynski C
Middlebrooks 3B
Bradley Jr. CF
Pitching: RHP John Lackey (4-2, 3.72).
RANGERS (19-18)
Choo LF
Andrus SS
Beltre 3B
Fielder 1B
Rios RF
Moreland DH
Arencibia C
Martin CF
Odor 2B
Pitching: LHP Robbie Ross, Jr. (1-2, 3.86).
Game time: 3:05 p.m.
TV/Radio: NESN / WEEI.
Red Sox vs. Ross: Gomes 1-4, Pedroia 2-5, Ortiz 1-3, Bradley 0-1, Bogaerts 0-0 (2 BB); Napoli 0-1, Ross 0-2, Carp 0-1, Herrera 0-1, Pierzynski 0-1, Victorino 0-1.
Rangers vs. Lackey: Beltre 14-64, Andrus 6-31, Rios 8-27, Choo 7-18, Fielder 5-15, Moreland 3-12, Arencibia 1-11, Martin 1-5.
Stat of the Day: The Red Sox are 3-2 against Texas with one game to play in the season series. The Sox have not won a season series against the Rangers or had a winning record in Texas since 2008. The Sox were 8-1 against the Rangers that season, 2-1 in Texas.
They meet again: Lackey is facing Texas for the 40th time in his career, the most he has faced any team. He is 13-15 with a 5.81 ERA. He is pitching at Globe Life Park for the 20th time in his career, the most he has pitched at any park outside of Angel Stadium and Fenway Park. Lackey is 7-7, 6.61 at Globe Life. Lackey beat the Rangers on April 7, allowing one unearned run over seven innings. In his last three starts this season he is 2-1 with a 2.05 ERA, giving up five earned runs on 18 hits over 22 innings with four walks and 20 strikeouts.
Trying again: The Sox have not been over .500 since they were 2-1 on April 2. They start the day three games out first place and in third place in the AL East. The Sox have won three of four and five of their last seven games.
Other notes: Ray faced the Red Sox on April 9 at Fenway Park. He allowed only one unearned run on two hits over 5.1 innings but walked six and threw 98 pitches. This will be his second career start against the Sox. He has faced them six times in all, allowing one earned run on seven hits over 8.2 innings. … The first two games of the series have drawn 93,356 fans and today’s game could be a sellout. … The Sox are 11 of 22 on stolen bases, the worst percentage in the majors. … Napoli has reached base safely in 30 consecutive games. … Texas has lost four of six.
Song of the Day: “Get Over It” by The Eagles.