The Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays continue their American League Division Series Monday night inside Tropicana Field.
Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays
Texas came away with a much-needed 8-6 victory Saturday evening in its ALDS series with Tampa Bay at a game apiece. The Rangers were down 3-0, only to score five runs in the fourth inning to take control of the contest. “That was a lot of fun,” commented Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler. “Every postseason win is huge, but we can’t say that this was a must-win, but it was a pretty huge win.” Since 1995, there have been 10 ALDS series tied at 1-1 going into Game 3. Of those 10, the winner has gone on to win the series seven times. The Rangers went 44-37 on the road this season, matching the second-best road record in club history. Texas is 26-23 versus left-handed starters this season.
Rangers starting pitcher Colby Lewis compiled a 14-10 record and 4.40 ERA in 32 starts this season and led the team to victories in three of his last four outings. He will be making his fourth consecutive outing away from home, coming in off a 10-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels, giving up two runs and three hits over six innings. The right-hander is 9-5 with a 3.43 ERA in 17 road starts, issuing 27 walks and registering 107 strikeouts in 107 2/3 frames. In four career starts versus the Rays, Lewis is 3-0 with a 4.15 ERA, including a 2-0 mark and 0.69 ERA in two outings at Tropicana Field.
Tampa Bay is now 11-12 in its history during the postseason and will be looking to even up its 5-6 record at Tropicana Field tonight. The Rays were unable to hold an early lead in Game 2, something that manager Joe Maddon isn’t to concerned about heading home. “Of course you would prefer 2-0,” Maddon commented during the day off in the series scheduling. “But to go back 1-1, we will take it right now.” The defeat ended a string of six consecutive wins, while also snapping a streak of 31 straight wins when the Rays have scored five or more runs. Tampa Bay is 42-30 after a loss this season.
Rays starting pitcher David Price finished the regular season with a 12-13 record and 3.49 ERA in 34 starts, while the team has alternated wins and losses in his last nine outings. He led the team to an 8-7 home win over the Yankees last time out, giving up six runs (five earned) and six hits over four innings. Price tallied a losing 4-9 mark despite carrying a 3.71 ERA in 18 home starts, surrendering 13 home runs in 116. 1 innings. Price is 0-3 with a 5.67 ERA in six career regular season starts versus the Rangers, while also allowing eight runs in 12 2/3 innings in last year’s ALDS against them.
Bettors will likely back the Rangers due to their 5-1 record versus left-handed starters, while the Rays are 1-4 in their last five playoff home games.
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