John Lackey gets the start on Saturday night as the Boston Red Sox take on the Texas Rangers in the second game of the 2011 MLB season at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington at 8:05 p.m. EDT.
Lackey, a 14-game winner in 2010, looks to improve on a less than stellar campaign last season. Although he struck out 156, Lackey lost 11 games and gave up a career-high 105 earned runs and 72 walk while posting a dismal 4.40 ERA. This is the first start of the season for Lackey, who was named the No. 2 starter at the end of spring training.
Despite a solid debut from Adrian Gonzalez (2-for-4, 3 RBI), the Red Sox (0-1) fell short in their season opener on Friday afternoon, losing 9-5 to the Rangers (1-0). David Murphy hit the go-ahead a two-run double in the eighth inning to power Texas.
Jon Lester struggled through his first start for Boston, which resulted in a no-decision, allowing five earned runs and three home runs in five and a third innings.
Former Red Sox third baseman Adrian Beltre had a solid debut in his first game with his new team, the Rangers, going 1-for-4 with a walk.
Texas manager Ron Washington will give the start to Colby Lewis, who was 6-4 with a 3.41 ERA at home last season.