Game 2 – Rangers Host Red Sox Preview

To start today’s post (and sorry the post is up a little late!), here are some cool facts courtesy of Foul Territory:

After winning yesterday’s game, the Rangers have won three consecutive season openers and are overall 21-19.

Against the Red Sox, the Rangers are 14-6 since 2009.

Now, the Rangers had a very successful home opener for the season yesterday defeating the Boston Red Sox 9-5. The Rangers hit three homer s- Mike Napoli, Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz. Originally, I figured the Rangers would win the first game then fall in the last two games, but after last night’s awesome performance and with the motivation that the guys must have after winning last night, I’m not sure if they can’t pull off another win tonight. Let’s look at the pitching matchups for Saturday’s game…

The Rangers will put RHP Colby Lewis on the mound. After coming back from having success in Japan, Lewis was 12-13 with an earned run average of 3.72 last season. Over 201 innings, he allowed 90 runs on 174 hits while striking out 196 batters and walking 65. This Spring, he pitched 14 innings striking out 10 batters while walking six and allowing 8 runs on 14 hits resulting in a 4.50 ERA. He headed into camp this year with the No. 2 position locked up in the starting rotation from having such a successful year in 2010. So long as he can return to that same form, the Rangers should be good despite going up against a tough lineup with the Red Sox.

The Red Sox will counter with RHP John Lackey on the mound. Lackey went 14-11 in 2010 with the Red Sox, his first year with Boston, and had a 4.40 ERA. He struck out 156 and walked 72 while allowing 114 runs on 233 hits over the course of 215 innings. Lackey had a successful spring this year going 2-1 with an ERA of 3.43. He struck out 10 batters while walking three and allowed 8 runs on 22 hits over the course of 21 innings. The Rangers lineup is definitely going to have to return to their hitting that they put forward last night if they stand any chance against this right-handed pitcher.

My prediction for the game – I’m probably be overly optimistic – but I think the Rangers will win again tonight against Boston with the score going 4-2w ith two to three homers. We’ll see how close I am because I was way off yesterday with thinking the score would be 4-3 and Jonathan predicted 3-2.