In the first of a three-game series between the Texas Rangers (56-57) and the Tampa Bay Rays (58-56) at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Martin Perez (1-2, 5.81 ERA) and Nathan Karns (7-5, 3.52 ERA) get the start. The game gets underway at 8:05 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 14 and will air on SUN and FSSW.
In his last start, Perez pitched 6.0 innings, allowing two runs (one unearned), striking out five and walking one in an 11-3 loss to the Mariners. Mitch Moreland (.295, 38 Rs, 17 HRs, 61 RBIs, 1 SB) continued his strong season yesterday, going 4 for 4 with one run, one home run, and four RBIs. The Rays were victorious over the Mets 5-4 the last time Karns pitched. He went 5.0 innings, giving up four runs, striking out eight and walking two. Logan Forsythe (.280, 45 Rs, 13 HRs, 51 RBIs, 7 SBs) went 1 for 3 Wednesday with one RBI.
Texas, a -130 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Tampa Bay. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is set at nine runs. The Rangers are in an interesting position this season. While it has a notable overall money line (+1,384), its record as favorite (8-12) is less impressive.
On the other side, the Rays have a record of 29-32 when they are the underdog and are -41 overall with the money line. Tampa Bay has been playing better lately, averaging 5.5 runs per game, more than their season average of 3.8. One of the top road hitting teams in the AL are the Rays, who average 8.5 hits in games away from home. Switching gears to Tampa Bay’s pitching staff, they average just 7.8 hits allowed per game, best in the AL. The Tampa Bay pitching staff has been an intimidating group this year, averaging 8.3 strikeouts per game.
The Rangers will take on a right-hander (Karns) in this game and have a 36-35 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The left-handed Perez will take the mound against the Rays, who have a 20-12 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB, O/U – Over
Notes
The Rangers managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Rays who are coming in with an 8-4 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
It looks like the Rays have a slight leg up on the Rangers, as the Rays have won their last four games while the Rangers have lost their last three.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 41-15. The Rangers have a 44-8 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 27th, Tampa Bay sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 427 this season. Texas ranks in the top five at fifth with 496.
Ranking 19th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 309 this season. Texas ranks in the top half at 14th with 325.
The Rangers are 43-23 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Rays are 42-30 when they hit at least one homer.
