Drew Smyly (5-11, 4.85 ERA) and the Tampa Bay Rays (51-70) meet Martin Perez (8-8, 4.09 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (73-51) in the last of a three-game series at Tropicana Field. The Rays won the last game 8-2, and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 1:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 21 and will air on FSSW and SUN.
In his last start, Smyly pitched 7.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out four and walking two in an 8-2 victory over the Padres. Evan Longoria (.291, 65 Rs, 28 HRs, 75 RBIs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 3 with two runs, one home run, and two RBIs. The Rangers were victorious over the Athletics 5-2 the last time Perez pitched. He went 7.0 innings, allowing two, striking out six and walking one.
Tampa Bay, a -131 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Texas. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is set at eight runs. When playing as the favorite, the Rays have a 30-36 record and overall money line at -2,650. They are 5-5 SU and perfect as the favorite (3-0) in their last 10 games. Tampa Bay has averaged 6.0 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 4.2. As for the Tampa Bay defense and pitching staff, teams routinely struggle to score runs against the Rays, who allow only 4.1 runs per home game. The Rays don’t give up many hits at home to opposing batters at Tropicana Field, leading the AL with only 8.1 hits allowed per home game.
On the other side, the Rangers have a record of 39-31 when they are the underdog and are +2,719 overall with the money line. The Rangers are one of the top AL pitching staffs on the road, essentially shutting down opponents to the tune of four runs allowed per away game.
The Rays will take on a left-hander (Perez) in this game and have a 13-17 record against left-handed starting pitchers this season. The left-handed Smyly will take the mound against the Rangers, who have a 19-16 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB, O/U – Over
Notes
The Rays are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Rangers have a 35-33 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they are outhit, the Rays are 10-53. The Rangers have a 19-38 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking ninth in home runs, Texas has hit 159 this season. Tampa Bay ranks fifth with 163 home runs.
Ranking 15th, Tampa Bay is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.11 per game. Texas ranks in the top five with 8.98.
Ranking 17th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.738). Texas ranks in the top half at 12th with an OPS of .755.
The Rangers are 46-43 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Rays are 27-63 when they allow at least one homer.
