Jon Lester: Boston Red Sox SP Could Use Some Run Support in 2012

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester could easily be looking for his third win of the season Tuesday night, but he'll be looking for his first when the team opens up a short two-game homestand against the Texas Rangers (8-2) at Fenway Park.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Red Sox as slight -119 favorites, while the total has moved down a half run to settle in at 8.5.

Boston (4-6) has managed to supply its star southpaw with just three combined runs in losing his first two outings, as the team will also look to bounce back from a 1-0 home loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday afternoon.

The Red Sox have registered a 9-7 record after getting shutout over the last two-plus seasons, but dropped their first opportunity in that situation in 2012, falling 13-12 in extra innings on the road to the Detroit Tigers on April 8.

Lester (0-1, 2.40 ERA) will be making his home debut in this marquee contest, starting the season with two road outings against the Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays.

In eight career games versus the Rangers, the 28-year-old has tallied a solid 3-1 record and 3.48 ERA, issuing just 16 walks and striking out 48 in 54.1 combined innings.

Sports bettors will take notice that the Red Sox are 0-5 in his last five starts as a favorite, while the "under" is on a 12-5 run in that situation.

Texas continues a difficult nine-game road trip, which started with a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton led the way offensively, and comes into this series hitting .390 with four home runs and six RBI.

Colby Lewis (1-0, 1.42 ERA) hits the road for the first time after making two starts at Rangers Ballpark, as he looks to even his career record against tonight's opponent, coming in with a 2-3 record and 5.01 ERA in 11 outings (seven starts) versus the Red Sox.

The tall right-hander picked up a no decision in a 4-3 home loss to the Seattle Mariners on April 11, tossing 6.2 shutout innings and scattering just five hits. He has demonstrated incredible command in his first two outings, issuing just a single walk and striking out 15 in 12.2 frames.

The Rangers are 2-5 in Lewis' last seven starts as a road underdog, while the "under" is 35-16 in his last 51 efforts outside of Arlington, TX.

Weather forecasts are suggesting partly cloudy skies and game-time temperatures in the mid-60s, while 10-15 mph wins will be blowing in a west-northwest direction (out to right).

Total bettors will find that the "over" was 5-0 at Fenway Park in these conditions last year.