Lester threw eight scoreless innings in a 3-1 victory Saturday night, which enabled Boston to remain four games out in the wild card race and six back in the AL East.
The win also bumped the Sox to 5-4 on their 10-game road trip. They finished a 10-gamer last month with a 6-4 mark, and would love to duplicate that effort.
Matsuzaka will be opposed by C.J. Wilson, who has performed well against Boston in 2010.
WHEN AND WHERE
Red Sox (67-51) at Rangers (66-49)
Sunday, Aug. 15, 3:05 p.m.
Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
HEAD TO HEAD
The Rangers have won five of the last seven meetings.
PITCHING MATCHUP
RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (8-3, 4.09 ERA) vs. LHP C.J. Wilson (10-5, 3.30 ERA)
Matsuzaka’s strong second half was slightly derailed five days ago in Toronto. Although the Red Sox won 7-5, he was reached for four runs in 5 2/3 innings and did not factor into the decision.
The righty is 3-0 over his last six starts overall and 4-1 on the road this year. He is 3-1 with a 5.09 ERA in four career starts vs. Texas.
Wilson has defeated Boston twice already this season, both times coming at Fenway Park. He allowed a run on just three hits while striking out 10 in 6 2/3 innings against the Sox on July 18.
The lefty is 1-0 but with a 5.79 ERA in his last three starts.
LINEUPS
| Red Sox | Rangers |
|---|---|
| Marco Scutaro, SS Darnell McDonald, RF Victor Martinez, 1B Adrian Beltre, 3B Mike Lowell, DH Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C Bill Hall, 2B Ryan Kalish, CF Eric Patterson, LF |
Elvis Andrus, SS Michael Young, 3B David Murphy, LF Josh Hamilton Jorge Cantu, 1B Mitch Moreland Taylor Teagarden, C Andres Blanco, 2B Julio Borbon, CF |
STAT SHEET
Red Sox
- Right fielder J.D. Drew is batting .333 (8-for-24) with four home runs and six RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.
- Catcher Victor Martinez had an 11-game hitting streak snapped Saturday.
- Lefty Felix Doubront recorded his first career save Saturday.
Rangers
- Outfielder Josh Hamilton is batting .399 (91-for-228) with 17 home runs at home this year.
- Right-hander Darren O’Day had a scoreless streak of 26 1/3 innings broken Saturday.
- Third baseman Michael Young is batting .184 (9-for-49) in August.
BLACK AND BLUE
Red Sox
- Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury was placed on the 15-day disabled list for the third time this season with soreness in his troubled left side, the result of a collision at first base Friday night.
- Second baseman Dustin Pedroia (broken left foot) went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored while playing second base in his first rehab game Saturday in Pawtucket. He is expected to DH on Sunday before returning to the Red Sox on Tuesday.
- First baseman Kevin Youkilis has successful surgery Friday to repair the torn right adductor muscle on his right hand. He will miss the remainder of the season.
- Center fielder Mike Cameron is on the DL with a lower abdominal strain. His activity is very limited.
- Catcher Jason Varitek (broken right foot) did some running on the field Friday. He remains at least a week behind Pedroia.
- Catcher Kevin Cash is on the DL with a left hamstring strain.
- Left-hander Hideki Okajima was placed on the DL on Friday with a right hamstring strain.
- Righty Junichi Tazawa underwent Tommy John surgery in March. He is out for the year.
Rangers
- Right fielder Nelson Cruz left Saturday’s game with an apparent leg injury after legging out a triple.
- Infielder Cristian Guzman was placed on the DL on Saturday with a strained right quad.
- Second baseman Ian Kinsler may return in late August or early September with a left groin strain.
- Infielder Joaquin Arias is on the DL with a strained back muscle.
- Catcher Matt Treanor is expected to begin a rehab assignment next week as he recovers from a sprained right knee.
- Right-hander Dustin Nippert is on the DL with a head contusion.
OUTLOOK
A 5-5 road trip against the likes of the Yankees, Blue Jays and Rangers is nothing to be ashamed of. A 6-4 road trip would be a pretty nice accomplishment, and could provide the momentum needed for Boston to roll through its upcoming nine-game homestand.
