Gray’s 2.76 ERA is fourth among qualified starters in the American League.
Texas will counter with lefty Tyler Alexander as an opener, with Cody Bradford likely to follow for the bulk of the innings.
First pitch in Texas is set for 8:05 p.m. EDT on NESN.
After Texas, the Red Sox will move on to a three-game against division-leading Tampa Bay in Florida before heading back to Fenway for the final two series of the seas
Here’s a preview.
RED SOX (82-70): Anthony LF, Jones DH, Abreu RF, Contreras 1B, Rutschman C, Story SS, Duran CF, Durbin 3B, Sogard 2B
Pitching: RHP Sonny Gray (17-5, 2.76 ERA)
RANGERS (76-76): Duran 3B, Seager SS, Jung DH, Nimmo RF, Langford LF, Burger 1B, Lopez 2B, Jansen C, Carter CF
Pitching: LHP Tyler Alexander (5-2, 3.38 ERA)
Time: 8:05 p.m.
TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7
Red Sox vs. Alexander: Roman Anthony 0-1, Willson Contreras 1-4, Jarren Duran 0-1, Caleb Durbin 0-1, Nate Eaton 0-1, Mickey Gasper 1-2, Jahmai Jones 1-2, Isiah Kiner-Falefa 4-11, Adley Rutschman 4-8, Nick Sogard 0-1, Trevor Story 1-1, Connor Wong 1-2
Rangers vs. Gray: Jake Burger 2-11, Evan Carter 0-2, Ezequiel Duran 1-8, Elias Díaz 1-4, Danny Jansen 0-0, Josh Jung 1-6, Wyatt Langford 2-6, Nicky Lopez 2-16, Brandon Nimmo 5-16, Alejandro Osuna 1-2, Joc Pederson 2-14, Corey Seager 3-12
Stat of the day: The Red Sox haven’t been swept since June 16-18, when the Blue Jays took all three games at Fenway Park.
Notes: The Red Sox have a hold on the second AL wild card, up five games over the third spot but six games behind the Yankees for the first spot. … Gray is 12-5 with a 2.81 ERA in 20 career appearances (19 starts) against Texas. … Alexander has seven career appearances (one start) against the Red Sox and is 1-0 with a 5.63 ERA. He pitched one scoreless inning of relief in the win on Tuesday. Bradford made his only career appearance against Boston in August, when he gave up three runs on four hits — including two home runs — in 3 ⅔ innings. … In their 4-2 loss on Thursday, the Red Sox had six hits but struck out 15 times. “We’re going through it a little bit,” interim manager Chad Tracy said. “We didn’t create a ton of opportunities.”
Amin Touri can be reached at amin.touri@globe.com.
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