After 162 regular season games, the Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays will play each other with the hopes of winning the second American League Wild Card spot.
Probable Pitchers: Rookie Martin Perez will take the mound for the Rangers, as he will face David Price, the 2012 Cy Young Award recipient. Perez is 10-5 with a 3.55 ERA, while Price is 9-8 with a 3.39 ERA. Perez has been one of the best and most consistent rookies in the AL, ranked second in ERA with pitchers above 100 innings (behind Chris Archer). After a weak start of the season Price has finished the season strong, giving up just eight runs in his last four starts (26.1 innings). However, Price has been hit hard by the Rangers, as they are batting .318 with six homers and 23 RBI against him. He also has an ERA just below 6.00.
Back From Suspension: The Rangers will bolster their outfield in Monday’s game, as Nelson Cruz will return from his 50-game suspension in the Biogenesis clinic. Cruz put together an outstanding 2013 season before being handed the suspension, batting .269 with 27 home runs and 76 RBI in just 108 games. The 33-year-old outfielder has hit Price hard, going 9-for-21 with three homers against the lefty.
Home Field Advantage: As if the Rays had enough problems, they will have to beat the Rangers in Arlington. The Rays are just below .500 (40-41) on the road as the Rangers are 46-35 at home. The odds are not in the Rays favor.
Predicting Both Scenarios: The Rangers will win if Cruz’s comeback is successful. Price has been dominant on the road, going 7-3 with a 3.21 ERA this season. The Rangers’ bats are on fire winning all of their last seven. As long as they hit Price hard – which they have – they should walk away victorious. The momentum can change with ease and Cruz would be the one to do it.
The Rays will win if Price doesn’t have any problems with the Rangers’ bats and throws like his dominant self. Another big reason could be if Cruz’s return isn’t successful and he struggles. The Rays have won eight of their last ten, proving that their bats have also been on fire. The key to the Rays’ success on offense is third baseman Evan Longoria, who has been on fire as of late. If he can keep his streak up, the Rays will be victorious.
Prediction: The Rays bats will be too much for the rookie Perez. Price will pitch a great game, leading the team to victory by a score of 5-3.
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