Boston Red Sox

Pregame notes

The Red Sox close an eight-game homestand with a makeup game against the Texas Rangers this afternoon. Here’s a look at the pregame notes for today’s game, courtesy of the Red Sox PR staff:

  • At 57-36, Boston has its best record after 93 games since 1986.
  • The Sox have held sole possession of first place in the A.L. East for the last 32 days and have also been in sole possession of or in a statistical tie for first in the A.L. East for 97 of 108 days in 2006.
  • Boston has won 19 of 24 at Fenway since May 25 and is 24-8 at home beginning May 4…Boston’s 31-13 home record is its best mark after 44 games since 1979.
  • After going 153 games without a shutout, the Red Sox have pitched 3 in the last 5 games, a 7-0 win over Oakland on Saturday and the two 1-0 wins versus Kansas City.
  • Jonathan Papelbon has earned saves in each of the last three games and leads the majors with 29 saves, tying Pittsburgh’s Rich Loiselle (1997) for the 5th most ever by a major league rookie.
  • Papelbon’s 0.54 ERA over his 50 innings of work is the lowest among all major league pitchers who have worked more than 12 innings.
  • Curt Schilling is 7-0 in his 8 starts at Fenway this season, tying six others for the major league lead in home victories, the only 7-0 pitcher at home
  • The last Red Sox pitcher to start 8-0 or better at home was Dennis Eckersley, who began 9-0 at Fenway in 1978.
  • Keep it here for updates throughout the game.

    To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

    Conversation

    This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com