In the last of a four-game series between the Tampa Bay Rays (17-14) and the Texas Rangers (17-14) at Tropicana Field, Drew Smyly (0-1, 2.70 ERA) and Wandy Rodriguez (1-1, 3.12 ERA) take the mound. The Rays won the last game 7-2 and Tampa Bay leads the series 2-1. The game gets underway at 1:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 10 and will air on FSN-SW and SunSports.
Smyly is 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA against the Rangers in his career, and is up against a struggling Texas offense that’s hitting just .223 on the year. Evan Longoria (.304, 19 Rs, 4 HRs, 12 RBIs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 3 with one run, one home run, and three RBIs. In his pitching opportunities against the Rays, Rodriguez is 0-2 with a 5.09 ERA. He meets a less-than-stellar Tampa Bay offense that’s batting just .237. Prince Fielder (.342, 11 Rs, 2 HRs, 14 RBIs) has been hitting the ball well for the Rangers, going 2 for 5 yesterday.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. The Rays rank fourth in the AL in ERA with a 3.42 team average. The Rays are third in the league in WHIP at 1.12. An area where the Rays are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average 8.5 K’s per game.
In their previous three games this season, the Rays have a 2-1 record. This game will feature Rodriguez (LHP) on the mound against the Rays, who have a 3-4 record when they take on a left-handed starter. The right-handed Smyly will take the mound against the Rangers, who have an 8-10 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB
Notes
When the Rangers play into extra innings, they have a 2-1 record. The Rays are 1-1 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Rangers managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Rays who are heading in with an 8-4 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Rays are 1-9. The Rangers have a 3-14 record when opponents outhit them.
Texas ranks in the bottom half of the league at 19th when it comes to home runs, hitting 24 this season. Tampa Bay ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 29.
Tampa Bay and Texas both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Tampa Bay sits at 13th with 7.83 hits per game and Texas ranks 14th with 7.59.
Ranking 24th, Texas is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.657). Tampa Bay ranks in the bottom half at 20th with an OPS of .699.
When the Rangers allow at least one home run, they are 6-14. When the Rays allow one or more homers, they have an 8-8 record.
