Win and get in. That is all one of these teams needs to do tonight to get in the MLB playoffs. The Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays both finished the regular season with a 91-71 record. The winner of this game is not exactly in the playoffs just yet. They live to see another day; play another game. The winner will play the Cleveland Indians tomorrow in the AL Wild Card one game series.
The Rays have their ace on the mound with David Price. Price has struggled in the past in Arlington, TX, and the Rangers definitely know that. The Rangers will welcome back one of their big bats; Nelson Cruz returns to their lineup after serving a 50-game suspension for being linked to the Biogenesis clinic. While the Rays will be without center fielder Desmond Jennings. The Rangers will have rookie Martin Perez pitch in the biggest game of his young career.
Based on Price’s struggles in Arlington and the Rangers catching fire recently, I think the Rangers get in tonight. Their lineup gets a huge boost with Cruz coming back who will likely DH tonight. However, the rookie Perez will have to be great tonight as the Texas bullpen has been overused and are tired. That could be disaster for the Rangers who would then have to play again tomorrow with an even more tired bullpen. However, I do not see that happening. Texas wins tonight. Texas wins tomorrow. Rays vs. Rangers- who you takin?
