Texas @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 4, 2014 ) Texas 1, Tampa Bay 8

The Texas Rangers turn to rookie Nick Martinez next in their makeshift rotation Saturday as they visit the Tampa Bay Rays, who cruised to an 8-1 victory in Friday’s series opener. Martinez, who has never pitched above the Double-A level, figures to make only one start with Yu Darvish, Colby Lewis and Matt Harrison each close to returning. “Whatever happens, I’m taking it as a learning experience,” Martinez told mlb.com. “Enjoy the ride and learn as much as I can while I’m here.”

While the Rangers are still waiting for one of their starters to last six innings, Tampa Bay has received solid outings from its five starters en route to a 3-2 start. The Rays are also producing at the plate, especially at the top of the order, where Desmond Jennings and Wil Myers are each off to solid starts and cleanup hitter Evan Longoria is batting .444 with eight hits in his first five games. Longoria (163) needs one home run to set the franchise record he now shares with Carlos Pena.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Nick Martinez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Rays LH David Price (1-0, 2.45)

Martinez will be the third different Texas pitcher to make his first major league start in the team’s first five games, following Tanner Scheppers and Robbie Ross. The 23-year-old was a combined 12-7 with a 2.50 ERA in 27 games (25 starts) for High-A Myrtle Beach and Double-A Frisco last season. “Being a young kid, we have to wait and see when he gets out there,” Rangers manager Ron Washington told mlb.com. “But he should be effective if he trusts himself.”

Price made his third career Opening Day start last Monday against Toronto and allowed two runs with six strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings. The 2012 American League Cy Young Award winner has made a career-high six consecutive regular-season starts allowing two runs or fewer, dating back to last season. The 28-year-old had a 1-7 record and 5.57 ERA in 11 career starts, including postseason, against Texas before earning a complete-game win against the Rangers in last season’s Game 163 tiebreaker.

WALK-OFFS

1. Martinez is looking to become the first Texas pitcher to win a start in his major league debut on the road since Glen Cook on June 23, 1985 at Minnesota.

2. Tampa Bay’s bullpen has compiled a 1.20 ERA through five games, allowing two earned runs in 15 innings.

3. Darvish, who missed his first start because of a sore neck, is expected to return to face RHP Alex Cobb in Sunday’s series finale.

PREDICTION: Rays 8, Rangers 3