The Tampa Bay Rays host game three against the Rangers and hope to win the series. The Rays (29-25) are 14-15 at home, the Rangers (29-26) are 10-15 on the road.
Game one was a hard loss as the Rays allowed 20 hits. Game two was a thrilling come-from-behind win as Matt Joyce, Sean Rodriguez and Evan Longoria homered for the 5-4 victory.
In Game three, David Price will take the mound against Colby Lewis in a wednesday matinee. The last time Price saw the Rangers he was dealt two losses in the 2010 ALDS as the Rays bats succumbed to Cliff Lee. Today the Rays will see a 3.90 ERA, 5.00 FIP Colby Lewis.
Today's Line up: via Marc Topkin
John Jaso C
Ben Zobrist 2B
Matt Joyce RF
Evan Longoria 3B
Johnny Damon DH
B.J. Upton CF
Sam Fuld LF
Sean Rodriguez 1B
Reid Brignac SS
What To Watch For:
- David Price to shut the Rangers down. Price allowed no runs in seven innings in his last appearance against the major league best Cleveland. He recorded a career-best 12 strikeouts and now boasts a 3.54 ERA, 3.02 FIP. (I was at this game, Price was thrilling.) After a second place vote in the Cy Young in 2010, his game is finally heating up. You can expect another strong start from Price today.
- Evan Longoria to swing a hot bat. Longo homered yesterday as he returned from leadoff to the clean up slot and he made the sports center top ten with a diving stop and out at first.
- For Tampa Bay to steal a base, but not Texas? B.J. Upton has stolen a base three times in the last week while no other Ray has. Sam Fuld is in the line up today, but he has not stolen a base since May 14. Contrariwise, as noted by mlb.com, the Rays have not allowed a stolen base in their last 11 games.