Red Sox Open 3-Game Set With Rangers As Youk Returns

September 2, 2011 3:38 PM

AUGUST 25: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates a solo home run with Carl Crawford #13 against the Texas Rangers during the game at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on August 25, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)

BOSTON (CBS) – After dropping two-of-three to the New York Yankees, it does not get any easier for the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

In comes the AL West leading Texas Rangers. The Red Sox played well in their trip to the Lone Star State last week, taking three of four, and hope to put together another strong series against a potential playoff opponent.

Lefty Andrew Miller will start the series off for Boston, after holding the Rangers to just three hits through 6 1/3 innings last week. Miller improved to 6-1 with his best outing in a Boston uniform, striking out six Rangers while walking just two.

Both teams will have their All-Star third basemen back this time around, with Kevin Youkilis scheduled to return to the Sox and Adrian Beltre back with the Rangers.

Youkilis, on the DL with a lower back strain since August 18, went two-for-eight over two games with the Pawtucket Red Sox this week, blasting a home run in his final at-bat. He is batting .266 with 17 homers and 78 RBIs this season.

Gallery: Red Sox Hot and Not In August

Beltre will make his first appearance in Fenway since signing with Texas in the off-season. In 2010 as a member of the Red Sox, he hit.314 with 13 homers in 75 games. Beltre was activated before the Rangers win over the Rays Thursday night, going one-for-four in his return.

Red Sox DH David Ortiz will look to extend his hitting streak to 16-games. Papi is hitting .500 with seven homers during his current streak.

Pitching Matchups For Three-Game Set With Texas