Rangers @ Red Sox Preview: Lefties Face Off

It is always interesting to see a left-handed pitcher throw the ball.  It is said that lefties often throw batters off their game a bit and had a whole new dynamic to a team’s pitching squad.  Later this afternoon, we will see two lefties face off as the Texas Rangers visit Fenway Park to take on the Boston Red Sox.

Martin Perez will take the mound for the Rangers, while Felix Doubront will throw for the Red Sox.  Looking at the stats and overall  experience, Perez is the better pitcher.  Perez allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings in his first start last Tuesday against the Phillies.  He did not allow a score for five inning before giving up two in the sixth.  The Red Sox lost the game.

Doubront won his game, though he turned in a 4.54 ERA while doing it. He gave up six hits and three runs over 5 1/3 innings against the Baltimore Orioles.

Perez has started against the Red Sox before back in July of 2012 whree he only allowed one run in six innings.  The Rangers would go on to lase the game thanks to a rough ninth inning, but by that time Perez was resting in the dugout, so the loss is not on his shoulders.  That game was in Arlington and this will be his first time pitching in frantic Fenway Park, which is notoriously difficult for lefties to pitch in.

Doubront has not pitched well against the Rangers.  He has made three starts and three relief appearnaces against them and is 0-3.  His combined ERA for those games is a objectively terrible 11.50.  He last pitched against the Rangers last May.  He only got to pitch 3 2/3 innings before he was pulled from the game after allowing six runs and 12 hits.

Despite the Rangers pitching advantage, the sportsbooks seem to think the Red Sox offense will make up for it as they have them as the favorites to win this one.  The game starts at 6:10 p.m. ET.  Check your local listings for television stations airing this game.