The Boston Red Sox (48-49) and Texas Rangers (57-38) will continue an important American League series on Tuesday night at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:05 ET

Boston Red Sox at Texas Rangers

Boston has fallen below the .500 mark for the first time in five weeks, suffering a 9-1 blowout loss on the road to Texas on Monday night.  “I think we’re all miserable,” commented Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia.  “Nobody in here likes losing.”  The Red Sox pitching staff has been battered over the course of its four-game losing streak, allowing 37 runs in that span, while the starters own a 4.89 ERA for the entire season.  Boston is 22-21 after three or more consecutive losses the last two-plus years.

Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (8-3, 5.19 ERA) has led the club to five wins in his last six outings, including a no-decision effort last time out at home against the Chicago White Sox, allowing one run and six hits over eight frames.  The right-hander is 3-2 with a 5.71 ERA in seven road outings, issuing 15 walks and striking out 35 batters in 41 frames.  In four career games versus the Rangers, Buchholz has garnered a 1-3 record and 3.91 ERA.

Texas is starting to break out offensively after scoring just 47 runs this month before the series opener, which was the fewest of any team in the majors.  “We were very pleased,” stated Rangers manager Ron Washington about the offensive performance Monday.  The Rangers are having a field day against the Red Sox pitching staff in 2012, scoring 33 runs in winning all three meetings to this point.  Texas is still just 7-9 in July, with the “under” going 12-4 in that situation.

Rangers starting pitcher Martin Perez (1-1, 5.54 ERA) is scheduled to make his fifth appearance (third start), as he was recalled on Monday night when Colby Lewis was placed on the disabled list.  Overall at the Triple-A level, the left-hander was 5-5 with a 4.59 ERA in 16 games (15 starts).  In three home games (two starts) during the 2012 MLB campaign, Perez has garnered a 1-1 record and 6.00 ERA, with opposing hitters batting .300 against him.

Sports bettors will likely play the OVER in this affair, with the Rangers going above the total in nine of their last 10 games against AL East opponents.

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