ARLINGTON, Texas — Instant reactions from another low-scoring Red Sox (1-2) loss, as the Rangers do enough damage against Walker Buehler in his Boston debut to win, 4-3, and guarantee at least a split of a four-game series:
1) The story continues to be the lack of timely offense for the Red Sox in Texas. Boston was able to produce traffic, especially against wild Rangers starter Tyler Mahle, but barely cashed in. Boston started the game a staggering 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position and finished the night 1-for-12 in that department while leaving 10 on base.
2) Kristian Campbell was undoubtedly the star of the game for the Red Sox in a losing effort. The fourth inning brought his first career major league home run — a 112.2 mph, 431-foot blast off righty Jacob Webb. Campbell also doubled and walked and is now 5-for-10 (.500) with two extra-base hits and a 1.483 OPS so far.
In the first outfield start of his career, Campbell almost provided some early heroics with the glove. With two men on and two outs in the first, Adolis García laced a liner into the left field gap and Campbell, ranging left, very nearly made a phenomenal diving play. As he finished his dive, the ball fell out of Campbell’s glove, allowing Texas to rake a 2-0 lead.
García had a big night for the Rangers, with two doubles and a homer. He’s clearly a fan favorite in Arlington as he gets massive cheers every time he steps to the plate.
3) In a sneaky way, Buehler might be an X-factor for the Sox in 2025. His first season away from Los Angeles got off to a rather tough start.
Buehler was tagged for seven hits in 4 ⅓ innings and left with the Sox trailing, 4-2. Texas hit five balls at 101.6 mph or harder off of him and it never really seemed like he settled in. He became the first Sox starter to take a loss this season.
4) Rafael Devers took baby steps early, working a full-count walk with the bases loaded to plate Boston’s first run in the second. But he still struck out three more times in an 0-for-4 night and is now 0-for-12 with 10 strikeouts in three games so far this year. The timing is just not there.
5) The early returns have not been good for Triston Casas or Trevor Story. Casas singled Saturday but is 1-for-13 with six strikeouts so far (including two looking in the loss) and Story is 1-for-11 in his hometown. Casas struck out against former teammate Chris Martin to end the game.
6) Catcher Carlos Narváez showed something on both sides of the ball in his team debut. First, he displayed some of the defensive potential that intrigues the Red Sox when he back-picked Joc Pederson to end the third inning with a laser throw to first. Pederson reached on a catcher’s interference by Narváez but the backstop quickly made up for it.
In the eighth, with a runner on second and two outs, Narváez lined an RBI single through the right side to make it a one-run game. It was Boston’s first (and only) hit with runners in scoring position all night.
7) Boston’s bullpen did a good job keeping a close game close. Justin Wilson (two outs on five pitches) and Zack Kelly (two shutout innings with just one hit allowed) did their jobs in their 2025 debuts. Greg Weissert worked around a walk and hit-by-pitch to keep the deficit at one run in the ninth.
8) As they try to salvage a split Sunday afternoon, the Red Sox better be up for a challenge. They’ll face two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom, who now fully healthy, will make his 10th start in a Rangers uniform. Boston will counter with rookie Richard Fitts. First pitch is at 2:35 p.m ET.
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