Red Sox look to end 4-game skid vs. Rangers

The Boston Red Sox will attempt to end a four-game losing streak on Monday when they open a three-game series against the visiting Texas Rangers.

The Houston Astros swept the Red Sox in a three-game set this past weekend. Boston had a team batting average of .188 in the series and was outscored 23-10. The Red Sox allowed nine home runs in the three games, three of which came in Sunday's 10-2 loss.

"Let's not make it bigger than what it is," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "We lost three games. We played well the first two. (Sunday) ... they put it on us. We got to turn the page and get ready for (Monday)."

The bad news for the Red Sox doesn't end there, either. Boston starting pitcher James Paxton left Sunday's loss due to a right calf strain after throwing five pitches. Cora said Paxton is scheduled to have an MRI on Monday.

Boston had to go with bullpen games on Saturday and Sunday since Cooper Criswell, Saturday's scheduled starter, was placed on the COVID-related injured list on Friday. Nick Pivetta was originally supposed to pitch against Houston on Saturday, but Boston skipped his turn in the rotation because of arm fatigue.

"Tough one," Cora said following Sunday's loss. "He's (Paxton) been healthy the whole season, right, and then that happens. But the boys, they battled today. Guys pitching in different roles and extended them. We had to somehow, someway get 27 outs. Obviously the score is the score, but we were in survival mode from the get-go."

Texas is coming off Sunday's 8-7 loss to the New York Yankees. The Rangers did all of their scoring in the final four innings.

"Bullpen had a tough day," Texas manager Bruce Bochy said. "That came back to get us."

Texas has lost 11 of its past 15 games.

"You keep fighting until you're not in it, and we don't feel like that right now," Bochy said on Sunday. "This was a tough one -- no getting around it -- but now the bats are starting to come alive. You would like to see it happen earlier in the game, but it's good to see some life going with these guys, especially late in the game."

Monday's pitching matchup features Texas right-hander Tyler Mahle (0-1, 1.80 ERA) and Boston righty Brayan Bello (10-5, 5.16).

Mahle made his debut with Texas last Tuesday, when he allowed one run on five hits in five innings of a 4-2 loss to Houston. Mahle had Tommy John surgery in May 2023 while he was a member of the Minnesota Twins. Tuesday was the first time he pitched in a major league game since April 27, 2023.

Monday marks Mahle's first career appearance against the Red Sox.

Bello will be back with Boston after being placed on the paternity list on Friday, prior to the opener of the series against Houston.

Bello is 2-1 with a 5.63 ERA in three career starts against Texas.

The Red Sox won two of three games against the Rangers in Arlington, Texas, earlier this month.

--Field Level Media