Boston @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 18, 2012 ) Texas 6, Boston 3

The Boston Red Sox miss David Ortiz and long for the days when Jon Lester and Josh Beckett were reliable starting pitchers. With a three-game series at the Texas Rangers followed by a three-game set at Yankee Stadium this week, the Red Sox could find themselves thrown from the fringes of the playoff race if they can’t recover quickly. The Rangers scratched right-hander Roy Oswalt from his scheduled start on Monday and will turn to Scott Feldman.

Boston was swept in a three-game series at home by the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend, dropping it back into last place in the American League East at 48-48. Ortiz, who was placed on the disabled list with a heel injury Tuesday, will be out until after the trade deadline and the Red Sox missed his bat against the Blue Jays. Lester and Beckett were both beaten up in the series. The Rangers dropped two of three to the Los Angeles Angels over the weekend, trimming their lead in the AL West to five games. Josh Hamilton went 2-for-14 in the series and has not had a multi-hit game since July 3.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FSSW (Texas), ESPN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Felix Doubront (10-4, 4.24 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Scott Feldman (3-6, 5.89)

Doubront has been Boston’s most consistent pitcher and picked up his team-leading 10th win last time out, when he held the Chicago White Sox to one run and four hits in six innings. The 24-year-old left-hander has benefited from plenty of offensive support and has only completed seven innings once in 16 starts. Doubront has made four appearances - one start - against the Rangers in his career, getting pounded for nine runs (seven earned) and 11 hits in 6 1/3 total innings.

Feldman gets the call in place of Oswalt, who is dealing with tightness in his lower back. Feldman has made 10 starts among 16 appearances this season, going 2-6 with a 6.46 ERA in that role. The 29-year-old right-hander has struggled against Boston, allowing 17 runs (nine earned) and 18 hits in 16 innings spread over seven games.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Red Sox have gone 4-11 at Texas over the last three seasons.

2. Texas’ scheduled starter for Tuesday, right-hander Colby Lewis, is questionable with forearm tightness. He will be examined Monday.

3. Boston OF Daniel Nava is batting .108 (8-for-74) in his last 23 games. He was hitting .339 on June 24.