The Boston Red Sox are back in the friendly confines of Fenway Park, and maybe that will be enough to jump-start their struggling offense.
The Red Sox offense was an issue on the team’s recent road swing, as Boston only was able to muster 23 runs on the 10-game trip. The Sox have been a shade better at home, and they’ll look to break out against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night.
Two members of the Boston lineup in particular could be poised to open the homestand in a big way. Mookie Betts has hits in his last five home games, collecting six hits in those games. Each of those six hits went for extra bases, and his last three hits at home have all been home runs. David Ortiz has reached base in each of the 15 home games he’s played in this season. The Boston designated hitter is hitting .333 with a .900 OPS at Fenway.
Wade Miley is starting for the Red Sox on Tuesday night. He’s looking to build off one of his better starts of the season. Miley allowed plenty of baserunners last time out versus Oakland, but he was able to work 6 2/3 scoreless innings. Miley’s making his second career start against the Rangers. He took the loss in 2012 against Texas, despite allowing just one run on three hits in 7 2/3 innings.
Yovani Gallardo gets the start for the Rangers.
Red Sox (18-20)
Mookie Betts, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Daniel Nava, RF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Blake Swihart, C
Wade Miley, LHPÂ (2-4, 5.60 ERA)
Rangers (16-22)
Shin-Soo Choo, RF
Elvis Andrus, SS
Prince Fielder, DH
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Kyle Blanks, LF
Mitch Moreland, 1B
Tommy Field, 2B
Robinson Chirinos, C
Delino DeShields, CF
Yovani Gallardo, RHP (3-5, 3.94 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
