Chris Archer (10-8, 2.62 ERA) starts for the Tampa Bay Rays (58-57) as they square off against Colby Lewis (12-5, 4.61 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (57-57) in the second of a three-game series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The Rangers won the last game 5-3 and Texas leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 8:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 15 and can be seen on SUN and FSSW.
Lewis pitched 8.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering three runs (one unearned), striking out six and walking one in a 4-2 defeat to the Mariners. Mitch Moreland (.295, 39 Rs, 17 HRs, 61 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. Archer went 6.0 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out 10 and walking four in a 4-3 defeat to the Mets in his last outing. Steven Souza Jr. (.214, 47 Rs, 15 HRs, 34 RBIs, 10 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with two runs.
Tampa Bay takes on Texas as a -138 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at eight runs. The Rangers have an overall money line of +1,509 and a record as the underdog of 48-45.
In games where it is the favorite, Tampa Bay has a 29-24 record and an overall money line of -41. They have managed to pull off a perfect record over their last ten games playing as the favorite, and have a 7-3 SU record over the same span. Offensively, the Rays have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 3.8 runs per game by averaging 5.5 during that stretch. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Rays are the best in the AL with an average of 7.8 hits allowed per game. The Rays have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 8.3 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Rangers lead the season series, 3-2. The Rangers have a 37-35 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Archer takes the mound. Lewis (RHP) will be on the hill against the Rays, who have a 38-44 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB, O/U – Over
Notes
The Rangers are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Rays have a 12-19 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Rangers are 11-44. The Rays have an 11-35 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 14th in home runs, Tampa Bay has hit 108 this season. Texas ranks 10th with 117 home runs.
Ranking 14th, Tampa Bay is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.13 per game. Texas ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 8.73.
Ranking 18th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.704). Texas ranks in the top half at 11th with an OPS of .727.
The Rays are 27-42 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Rangers are 30-44 when they allow at least one homer.
