Texas @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 5, 2013 ) Texas 3, Boston 2

The Texas Rangers had no problem bouncing back from an embarrassing defeat, and now they have a chance to take the series. The Rangers will try to win the rubber game behind Derek Holland when they close out a three-game set at the Boston Red Sox on Thursday. The Red Sox pounded out 13 extra-base hits in Tuesday’s 17-5 win but were held to five total hits in Wednesday’s 3-2 setback.

Boston entered the series with a chance to take over the best record in the American League but dropped a game behind the Rangers with Wednesday’s setback. Texas has needed 9 2/3 innings from its bullpen in the first two games of the series but has spread the work out in such a way that no two relievers have gone on both days. The Red Sox have traded offensive explosions with droughts in the last week, putting up run totals of 9, 1, 11, 3, 17 and 2 in the last six games.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Southwest (Texas), New England Sports Network (Boston), MLB Network

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Derek Holland (5-2, 2.81 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Jon Lester (6-2, 3.53)

Holland has been strong of late, winning each of his last two starts while striking out a total of 18 and surrendering one earned run in 13 2/3 innings. The left-hander had his way with the Red Sox at home on May 3, scattering six hits and striking out nine over eight scoreless frames to earn the win. Holland has always had success against Boston and owns a 5-1 record with a 2.41 ERA in six career turns.

Lester has fallen off after a hot start and is 0-2 with a 6.05 ERA in his last three starts. Part of that has been due to command issues, as Lester has issued a total of eight walks in those outings. The veteran left-hander yielded home runs to Mitch Moreland and Nelson Cruz over six innings in a no-decision at Texas on May 5 and owns a 3-3 record with a 4.57 ERA in 11 starts against the Rangers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox CF Jacoby Ellsbury (groin) has missed the last five games and is out indefinitely.

2. Moreland was lifted from Wednesday’s game with tightness in his right hamstring and is day-to-day.

3. Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia has hit safely in nine straight games and 13 of the last 14.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Red Sox 4