Texas @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 16, 2013 ) Texas 2, Tampa Bay 6

The Tampa Bay Rays are beginning to turn things around as they push for the playoffs, and rookie Wil Myers has taken a leading role. Myers looks to homer for the third straight game as the Rays attempt to hand the visiting Texas Rangers their eighth straight defeat Tuesday. The 22-year-old Myers went 8-for-18 with seven RBIs to help Tampa Bay win four of its last five games and edge ahead of Texas by one game for the first American League wild-card spot.

The Rangers have not held a lead or homered during their losing streak – scoring two or fewer runs four times – and are 2-12 in the month of September. “I’m not frustrated, I’m confused,” Texas manager Ron Washington told reporters after Monday’s 6-2 loss. “I’m trying to figure out what we have to do to jump-start this offense.” Rangers leadoff hitter Ian Kinsler has recorded two hits in four of his last six games.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Alexi Ogando (6-4, 3.23 ERA) vs. Rays RH Jeremy Hellickson (11-8, 5.04)

Ogando makes his first start since Aug. 13 after four straight scoreless relief appearances, including a 1 2/3-inning effort on Sunday against Oakland. The 29-year-old allowed only one run and three hits over 5 1/3 frames to beat Hellickson and Tampa Bay on April 8 and is 1-1 in nine career outings (two starts) against the Rays. Evan Longoria is 4-for-6 with a homer against Ogando, who has yielded 73 hits in 86 1/3 innings this year.

Hellickson pitched well in two outings since being skipped once for rest, allowing three runs and eight hits over 10 2/3 innings. The Iowa native gave up three runs in five frames of a loss at Texas on April 8 and is 0-2 with a 3.18 ERA in three career starts against the Rangers. Lance Berkman is 2-for-5 with two homers again Hellickson, who beat the Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 4 to break a five-game losing streak.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rays have matched their 2012 total of 46 home victories with seven games remaining.

2. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre is 4-for-31 in his last nine games against the Rays and has not homered in 16 contests overall.

3. Tampa Bay 2B Ben Zobrist has five hits in his last nine at-bats after a 0-for-15 slump.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Rays 4