Boston Red Sox @ Texas Rangers
United States: MLB Baseball
Wednesday 24 August 2011 - First Pitch 7:05pm ET
12:05am (British Standard Time)

---

Preview

These two teams have split the opening 2 games of this series and could very easily meet one another in the postseason. The Boston Red Sox (78-50) won Game 2 to level the series and move alongside the New York Yankees in the American League East, while the Texas Rangers (74-56) hold a 3.5 game lead over the LA Angels in the American League West.

Jacoby Ellsbury returned to the starting line up to give the Red Sox a boost at the plate after injuries have left the team struggling a little bit.

Boston have been averaging just 3.7 runs per game as they have lost 5 of their last 9 and this was down to missing key components like Ellsbury, David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis from the starting line up. While Ellsbury returned last night, it is expected that Ortiz will be back tonight while Youkilis will not be back until September.

Josh Beckett will go to the mound for Boston and look to improve his 12-6 record and his 2.46 ERA on the season and bring that form into Arlington. Beckett has struggled to a 1-2 record with a 6.37 ERA in his last 6 starts against the Rangers.

Texas will try to counter Beckett by sending Matt Harrison to the mound, a pitcher who has been struggling of late. Harrison is 10-8 with a 3.28 ERA this season, but has been tagged in his last 2 starts although the Rangers have fought back to win both games.

Harrison held the Red Sox to just 1 run in 7 innings when he met them earlier this season. He also enjoys pitching in his home ball park and has a 4-0 record with a 2.16 ERA in his last 6 starts here.

Head to Head

Boston's win last night was their first over the Rangers this season and leaves the season series at 4-1 to Texas.

Stretching back to last season, Texas are 10-3 in the last 13 games they have played against one another.

The Rangers are 16-6 in their last 22 home games.

Texas are 19-19 in Game 3's this season, going 8-9 when losing Game 2.

Boston are 27-9 in Game 3's, and have an incredible 19-3 record when winning their last Game.

Prediction

This is actually quite a tough match to predict, even though it may initially look like Boston has the edge on the mound with the more consistent pitcher.

Matt Harrison enjoys playing at home and has limited teams very well here, while Josh Beckett has really struggled against the Rangers in recent starts.

Boston have also had a tough time on the plate and it may be asking too much for their offense to click into gear against a pitcher like Harrison.

Texas have also dominated the recent games between the teams and I think they are worth chancing as the underdogs at home.

The Pick :

Texas Rangers 6-3 Boston Red Sox

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back the Texas Rangers @ 2.05