The Rays face the challenge of a must-win game as they face the Rangers in a pivotal Game 2 of the ALDS today at the Trop.
After losing 5-1 yesterday with ace starter David Price on the mound, and losing home field advantage in the process, the Rays can't afford to go on the road down 0-2. Rays third baseman Evan Longoria:
"This is a must win. It's tough to win on the road, let alone being in a playoff atmosphere and winning on the road. So (today) is the biggest game of the year."
Aside from an elimination game, game 2 of a five game series is always key, as the two teams are either tied at one or there's a two game gap with one team on the brink of elimination. Out of 45 teams that lost the opener of a best-of-five postseason series at home, only 12 have come back to win. And only one, the 2001 Yankees, did it after losing the first two games at home.