MLB Standings: Rays One Game Back In Wild Card Race

2012 is looking like another photo finish in the AL East.

A year after the Tampa Bay Rays clinched a playoff spot in the last day of the regular season, the playoff race is so muddled in the AL that an encore may be in an order.

After taking two of three from the Texas Rangers this weekend, the Rays are tied with the LA Angels at 77-63, one game behind the Baltimore Orioles for the second wild card spot and 2.5 games behind the Oakland A's.

To make things even more complicated, both Baltimore and Tampa Bay are breathing down the necks of the New York Yankees in the AL East. New York, at 79-61, is one game ahead of the Orioles and 2.5 games ahead of the Rays.

That's what makes the next week so pivotal for Joe Maddon's team: they have a six-game road trip in Baltimore and New York. Next Sunday, we might have a much better idea of their playoff fate, but as Tampa Bay found out in 2011, in baseball, it's never over until it's over.

For more coverage of the Rays, check out D Rays Bay as well as SB Nation Tampa Bay.

Rays Vs. Rangers Game Recap: Tampa Bay Wins Rubber Match

The Tampa Bay Rays shut out the Texas Rangers in Sunday's rubber match, 6-0. It was a dominating performance by Rays pitcher James Shields, who pitched a two-hit complete game and struck out eight in the process.

B.J. Upton hit three home runs on Sunday, as the game's biggest performer at the plate. He hit his first in the leadoff spot to start the game, another in the fourth inning and his last in the sixth.

Roy Oswalt didn't have as good a day for Texas as Shields had for Tampa. Oswalt gave up four earned runs on six hits through just two innings, and he was charged with the loss as well. Martin Perez pitched most of the game and he gave up a pair of earned runs on seven hits.

Read more on the Rays at DRaysBay and SB Nation Tampa Bay. Head over to Lone Star Ball and SB Nation Dallas for more on the Rangers. Baseball Nation is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball.

Rays Vs. Rangers Game Preview: Tampa Turns To James Shields As Wild Card Race Heats Up

Sunday's Rays starter, James Shields, has posted seven consecutive quality starts (six innings, three or fewer runs allowed) as Tampa looks to keep pace with New York and Baltimore in the AL Wild Card race.

Shields (13-8, 3.88 ERA) appears to be back on track after his struggles in May, June and July raised his ERA above 4.50. Shields' next outing in Oakland July 31 began the right-hander's return to form: nine innings, three hits, no runs and 11 strikeouts.

Rangers starter Roy Oswalt (4-2, 5.85 ERA) has not started since Aug. 23, when he allowed seven hits and three runs over 5 2/3 innings. The veteran righty did make a relief appearance Sept. 4 in Kansas City and went 2 1/3 innings, allowing just one run with four strikeouts.

Game Time: 1:40 p.m. ET

TV: Sun Sports

Radio: WFLA 970, WAMA 1550

Rays Vs. Rangers Final Score: Rangers Win With Two-Run Rally In 10th

For the second consecutive night the Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers needed extra innings to decide a winner at Tropicana Field, but Saturday the Rays came out on the bitter end after pitcher Kyle Farnsworth allowed the go-ahead runs in the 10th inning of a 4-2 loss.

Farnsworth began the inning by inducing consecutive ground-ball outs to shortstop Ben Zobrist, but Geovany Soto got things started for the Rangers with a double off the glove of center fielder B.J. Upton. Jurickson Profar followed with a double of his own, scoring Soto to put the Rangers up 3-2. A walk to Ian Kinsler and single by Elvis Andrus loaded the bases for Josh Hamilton, but Farnsworth hit the Rangers slugger with a first-pitch slider to force in another run before striking out Adrian Beltre to end the inning. Rangers closer Joe Nathan came on to record the save, striking out Carlos Pena with a borderline pitch to end the game. Pena was ejected by home plate umpire Mike Estabrook for arguing the called third strike.

The loss spoiled an excellent start by Chris Archer, who threw seven innings of four-hit, two-run ball while striking out 11. Rangers starter Yu Darvish was equally masterful, striking out eight in eight innings while allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits.

Sunday's rubber match is scheduled for 1:40 p.m. ET.

Stay with this StoryStream for more on the the Rays vs. Rangers series. For more coverage of the Rays, check out DRays Bay. Head over to SB Nation's baseball hub for all things major league baseball.

Rangers Vs. Rays Game Preview: Tampa Looks To Ride Momentum Of Friday's Victory

The Tampa Bay Rays got their weekend series with the Texas Rangers off to a good start on Friday night. Tampa defeated Texas 3-1 in the bottom of the 11th inning as Ben Zobrist stepped to the plate and blasted a two-run, walk-off homer to end the game.

The series resumes on Saturday evening at 7:10 p.m. ET and Tampa will be looking for their second consecutive win.

Both the Rays and Rangers will send right-handed rookies to the mound on Saturday. Chris Archer will get the start for Tampa and Yu Darvish will take the mound for Texas.

Archer will be looking for his first win in just his third Major League start. He enters the game with a 3.75 ERA.

Read more on the Rays at DRaysBay and SB Nation Tampa Bay. Head over to Lone Star Ball and SB Nation Dallas for more on the Rangers. Baseball Nation is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball.

Rays Vs. Rangers Final Score: Rays Win In 11th On Ben Zobrist Walk-Off Home Run

The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Texas Rangers in extra innings on Friday night, taking the first game of their three game series, 3-1. Neither team mustered much offense on the night, taking a 1-1 tie past the ninth, but Ben Zobrist came through with a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the 11th.

Zobrist's home run was only the fifth Rays hit of the night, a total matched by the Rangers. Evan Longoria had Tampa Bay's other RBI. Starter Jeremy Hellickson went six innings, giving up four hits while striking out five and walking one. Wade Davis picks up the win, improving to 3-0 as he struck out five over two innings of work.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Saturday at 7:10 p.m. ET.

Stick with this StoryStream for more from the Rays vs. Rangers series. For all things Rays, be sure to check out DRays Bay.

Rangers Vs. Rays Lineups: Desmond Jennings Leading Off For Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay Rays open up a series against the Texas Rangers on Friday night as they look to continue climbing up the Wild Card and AL East standings. The lineups for the first game are listed below.

Tampa Bay:

1. Desmond Jennings (R) LF
2. B.J. Upton (R) CF
3. Ben Zobrist (S) SS
4. Evan Longoria (R) 3B
5. Jeff Keppinger (R) 1B
6. Ben Francisco (R) DH
7. Ryan Roberts (R) 2B
8. Chris Gimenez (R) C
9. Sam Fuld (L) RF

Related: Following Up On Rays MVP Ben Zobrist

Texas:

1. Ian Kinsler (R) 2B
2. Elvis Andrus (R) SS
3. Josh Hamilton (L) CF
4. Adrian Beltre (R) 3B
5. Nelson Cruz (R) RF
6. Michael Young (R) DH
7. David Murphy (L) LF
8. Mitch Moreland (L) 1B
9. Luis Martinez (R) C

Read more on the Rays at DRaysBay and SB Nation Tampa Bay. Head over to Lone Star Ball and SB Nation Dallas for more on the Rangers. Baseball Nation is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball.

David Price Injury: Rays LHP Scratched From Saturday Start Due To Shoulder Soreness

Tampa Bay Rays ace lefthander David Price will not make his scheduled start on Saturday because of "general soreness" in his shoulder, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Price plans to throw a bullpen session on Sunday or Monday and then return to the rotation next weekend, so the soreness isn't expected to keep him out of action for an extended period of time.

Related: Following Up On Rays MVP Ben Zobrist

Price is 17-5 in 2012, which is two wins shy of his career best. Price has a 2.54 ERA with 175 strikeouts and 54 walks over 180-2/3 innings this season.

The Rays, who are currently 1.5 games out of a wild card playoff spot, begin a series against the Texas Rangers on Friday night.

Read more on the Rays at DRaysBay and SB Nation Tampa Bay. Baseball Nation is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball.

Rays Vs. Rangers Preview: Schedule, TV Info And More

The Tampa Bay Rays face the Texas Rangers on Friday to start a three-game weekend series between an AL playoff contender and an AL playoff hopeful.