Josh Beckett

Josh Beckett will return to the mound in Wednesday’s series finale with the Rangers at Fenway Park, as the right-hander will be making his first start since injuring his back on July 31.

In his last outing, Beckett (5-9, 4.54 ERA) was taken out of the game with the back injury in the third inning after he walked home a run.

Beckett’s last start before the injury resulted in a 5-3 loss to the same Rangers team he will be facing on Wednesday. In the loss, the 32-year-old allowed four runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out three through seven innings pitched.

The Red Sox will be looking for a better performance out of Beckett on Wednesday, as the former Marlin has a 1-5 record with a 4.67 ERA in his previous 10 starts.

If there is one player on the Rangers who matches up well with Beckett, it is Josh Hamilton, who has two homers and a .400 batting average in 23 career plate appearances against him.

On the mound for the Rangers will be Matt Harrison, who bounced back from two mediocre outings with a win in his last start.

The 26-year-old lefty only allowed two runs on eight hits through 6 2/3 innings en route to a win over the Royals in his last start. The victory improved his record to 13-6 on the year and lowered his ERA to 3.17.

Harrison is capable of going deep into games, as he already has two complete-game shutouts this season. The North Carolina native averages almost seven innings pitched per start.

The Red Sox hitter who has had the most success against Harrison is arguably the hottest Red Sox batter as of late — Carl Crawford. Crawford has recorded a .364 batting average with four RBIs against Harrison in his career.

Rangers vs. Beckett (RHP)

Adrian Beltre (31 plate appearances): .200 BA/.226 OBP/.233 SLG, 1 double, 1 walk, 10 strikeouts

Michael Young (30): .214/.233/.357, 1 home run, 1 double, 4 strikeouts

Josh Hamilton (23): .400/.478/.700, 2 home runs, 7 RBIs, 4 strikeouts

Elvis Andrus (20): .267/.421/.267, 1 RBI, 3 walks, 1 strikeout

Ian Kinsler (17): .188/.235/.313, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs, 4 strikeouts

Mike Napoli (16): .267/.421/.267, 2 home runs, 1 double, 4 strikeouts

Nelson Cruz (15): .071/.133/.071, 1 RBI, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts

David Murphy (14): .417/.429/.750, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 strikeout

Mitch Moreland (8): .250/.250/.625, 1 home run, 2 RBIs, 3 strikeouts

Craig Gentry (3): .500/.500/.500, 1 RBI

Alberto Gonzalez (2): .500/.500/.500

Red Sox vs. Harrison (LHP)

Dustin Pedroia (14 plate appearances): .231 BA/.286 OBP/.231 SLG, 2 RBIs, 1 walk, 1 strikeout

Mike Aviles (13): .077/.077/.077, 1 RBI, 2 strikeouts

Carl Crawford (12): .364/.333/.455, 1 double, 4 RBIs, 4 strikeouts

Jacoby Ellsbury (11): .273/.273/.364, 1 double, 1 strikeout

Adrian Gonzalez (9): .125/.222/.125, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts

Jarrod Saltalamacchia (6): .167/.167/.333, 1 double, 2 strikeouts

Nick Punto (1): 1.000/1.000/1.000

Cody Ross (1): .000/.000/.000

Kelly Shoppach (1): .000/.000/.000, 1 strikeout