Texas @ Tampa Bay preview
Tropicana Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2013 ) Texas 7, Tampa Bay 1
The Texas Rangers have put their demoralizing seven-game losing streak behind them and send their two top pitchers to the mound over the next two days. Derek Holland takes the ball Wednesday, when the Rangers visit the Tampa Bay Rays as they battle to break the tie atop the American League wild-card standings. The Rangers, who will start ace Yu Darvish on Thursday in the series finale, snapped their slide by belting three homers in a 7-1 victory on Tuesday.
Ian Kinsler has four hits in nine at-bats in the series and Elvis Andrus belted a two-run shot Tuesday and is hitting .341 in September. The Rays, who have dropped two of their last three, managed only four hits against five Texas pitchers in the second game of the series. Rookie Wil Myers continues to shine for Tampa Bay with 10 hits in his last six games – seven for extra bases.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Derek Holland (9-9, 3.40 ERA) vs. Rays RH Chris Archer (9-7, 3.03)
Holland has posted a 5.40 ERA during his seven-start winless streak, which includes losses in his last three outings. The 26-year-old, who is 6 2/3 away from his first 200-inning season, gave up two runs over eight frames in a setback against Tampa Bay on April 10. Evan Longoria is 9-for-24 with three homers against Holland, who is 4-3 with a 4.92 ERA in nine career starts versus the Rays.
Archer pitched six scoreless innings in his last outing against the Twins after losing his previous two. The Rookie of the Year candidate yielded two runs and struck out a career-high 11 over seven frames in his only career start against the Rangers last season. Kinsler is 0-for-3 with three strikeouts against Archer, who has limited opponents to a .221 batting average.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tampa Bay SS Yunel Escobar leads all active players at his position in fielding percentage (.989) and has made only two errors in his last 103 games.
2. Texas OF Alex Rios is 11-for-11 in stolen-base attempts since being acquired from the Chicago White Sox and 18-for-18 since the All-Star break.
3. The Rays have struggled with the bases loaded lately, going hitless in their last 15 at-bats and 2-for-23 with seven double plays.
PREDICTION: Rangers 3, Rays 2