BOSTON -- Offense hasnt been a problem for the Red Sox through 81 games, but Bostons struggles on the mound are threatening to undo all the good the team is doing at the plate.At the midway point, the Red Sox (44-37) have scored a league-leading 451 runs, a total they added to handsomely Sunday in a 10-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels.However, their mediocre pitching -- a 4.49 team ERA that ranks 11th in the AL -- might prove troublesome entering their three-game series with the Texas Rangers that starts Monday.While this is a strong offensive team, we still have areas of improvement, Red Sox manager John Farrell said. The key (to the second half of our season) without a doubt will be to stabilize our pitching, particularly in the rotation.The Rangers (52-31) own the top record in the AL, although they are in the midst of a little funk after dropping two of three games -- including a 5-4 defeat Sunday -- to the major-league-worst Minnesota Twins.Overall, the Rangers have lost four of their past five.We hit some balls hard today, Texas manager Jeff Banister said after his teams eight-hit attack Sunday. We hit them right at some people, and we hit some line drives into the outfield. Couple feet either way, and its a different ballgame.As a unit, the Rangers offense has held its own, scoring 407 runs, a total that is tied for seventh in the majors.On Monday, Texas will have to contend with one of Bostons most consistent arms, right-hander Rick Porcello (9-2, 3.78 ERA).Porcello has pitched well at home this season, going 6-0 with a 3.48 ERA in seven starts at Fenway Park this year.His numbers against Texas havent been as encouraging, though. In eight career starts against the Rangers, Porcello is 4-4 with a 5.86 ERA.Shin-Soo Choo, who hit a solo home run and drove in three runs total Sunday, has hit Porcello well historically, batting .286 (10-for-35) with four RBI against him.Adrian Beltre is 8-for-21 with a solo home run off Porcello.Last time out, Porcello allowed a run on five hits and three walks while striking out eight in a six-inning, 8-2 victory at Tampa Bay on Tuesday.Nick Martinez (1-1, 5.00 ERA) has the task of containing the Red Soxs high-powered offense in Mondays opener.The right-hander will be making his fourth start for the Rangers after giving up two runs on three hits and five walks with two strikeouts in a five-inning no-decision Wednesday at the New York Yankees.Martinez is 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA in two career starts against Boston, including a June 24 start in which he allowed four runs on six hits over six innings in another no-decision.Mookie Betts is 3-for-7 against him, while Jackie Bradley Jr. is 1-for-3 with a two-run homer. Hanley Ramirez has also teed off on Martinez, going 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI.Texas took two of three games against Boston when the teams met for a weekend series in Arlington on June 24-26. The Rangers won five of seven meetings with the Red Sox last season. Vans Scarpe Vendita Online . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. Scarpe Vans Offerte Online .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. http://www.vansitalia.it/ . Haas said he "felt a lot of pain" in his right shoulder when he slammed his racket to the ground in frustration after losing his serve at 3-3 in the first set. Vans Outlet Italia . Once again Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and I (@LynchOnSports) go head to head in our picks. Last weekend at UFC Fight Night 32 my #TeamLynch got the best of #TeamJC by a score of 9-6. Let us know which side youre on for UFC 167 use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter. Vans Scarpe Italia . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. AUBURN, Ala. -- Sean White will open this season like he finished the last one: As Auburns starting quarterback.Coach Gus Malzahn proclaimed White the winner of the three-man race over Jeremy Johnson and junior college transfer John Franklin III after Thursdays practice. White will start Sept. 3 against No. 2 Clemson.Weve got three guys that can run our offense but Sean Whites the first one that will be out there, Malzahn said. Were excited for Sean. Hes earned it. Hes a guy that has experience in our offense last year. Hes a tough guy. Hes in a good spot. Hes in a good spot to lead this team. The teams going to rally around him so Im excited for him.White replaced Johnson as starter in midseason and started five games before sustaining knee and foot injuries against Arkansas. He reclaimed the No. 1 job in the Birmingham Bowl win over Memphis.He was the first Auburn freshman quarterback to make his starting debut against an SEC opponent since Jeff Klein against Tennessee in 1999. White was also the first Auburn passer to throw for 250-plus yards in three consecutive games since Dameyune Craig in 1997.But he only threw one touchdown pass against four interceptions, two of them coming in the bowl game.Now, hes emerged on top from a competition that carried through spring until nine days before the opener.It feels really good, White said. I feel blessed to be in this position, and I feel responsible to lead this team against Clemson. Im happy coach put this responsibility on me and my teammates believe in me. I feel like they have a reason to believe in me. Welll be ready to go come Saturday.dddddddddddd.White said theres a night and day difference from last season, when Johnson opened as not only the clear starter but regarded as a potential star.Before the season, I prepared hard, I wasnt slacking, but I wasnt preparing to go out and start and lead the team until my name was called on, White said. This year, I had all spring, all preseason to prepare like Im the starter. Thats been a huge difference as far as timing with the receivers and just being able to go out there and run the plays, not think, and being able to lead everybody.Malzahn didnt disclose a pecking order behind White. The coach said White ran a 4.6 40 in the spring.Tailback Kerryon Johnson said its a relief to have the quarterback question answered finally. He said theres more to White than just being nice.Hes obviously a really nice guy and a really great friend, Johnson said. But I think Sean has a little mean streak to him. Hes not going to back down from anybody. Hes a spicy player and he loves competition. Thats the thing that people get out of playing with him. They really get that attitude that you can really feed off of as a team.Jeremy Johnson had already had a tough week before losing the quarterback battle. His grandfather, Ojedita Johnson, was killed in a car accident in Lowndes County on Wednesday morning.Our thoughts and prayers go out to him, Malzahn said. Thats a tough situation. Were all hurting for him. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '
