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Series Preview: Texas Rangers @ Tampa Bay Rays - Breaking, Bad

As nothing beside remains, round the decay the Rangers find themselves with a tentative hold on a potential playoff spot. Texas and Tampa Bay are tied atop the AL Wild Card standings with this four game series serving as a potential Wild Card preview

By ghostofErikThompson
How about you ditch those zeroes and get with a hero, Dave Martinez?
How about you ditch those zeroes and get with a hero, Dave Martinez?
Elsa

Series Schedule:

Monday, September 16 6:10: RHP Alex Cobb vs. RHP Matt Garza

Tuesday, September 17 6:10: RHP Jeremy Hellickson vs. RHP Nick Tepesch

Wednesday, September 18 6:10: RHP Chris Archer vs. LHP Derek Holland

Thursday, September 19 6:10: LHP Matt Moore vs. RHP Yu Darvish

Texas Rangers baseball:


Here's a breakdown of the pitching match-ups against our old postseason foes from Tampa:

  • Matt Garza: 9-5, 8.17 K/9, 2.42 BB/9, .281 BABIP, 74.2% LOB, 3.84 FIP, 3.67 xFIP, 2.0 WAR - Last three starts: 9 runs allowed in 18.0 innings
  • Alex Cobb: 8-3, 8.10 K/9, 3.00 BB/9, .283 BABIP, 81.0% LOB, 3.73 FIP, 3.22 xFIP, 1.5 WAR - Last three starts: 9 runs allowed in 19.2 innings

Advantage: The Rays' offense.

  • Nick Tepesch: 4-6, 7.35 K/9, 2.61 BB/9, .309 BABIP, 69.1% LOB, 4.18 FIP, 3.38 xFIP, 1.2 WAR - Last three appearances: 4 runs allowed in 7.2 innings
  • Jeremy Hellickson: 11-8, 6.96 K/9, 2.57 BB/9, .308 BABIP, 68.5% LOB, 4.17 FIP, 4.17 xFIP, 1.5 WAR - Last three starts: 8 runs allowed in 13.1 innings

Advantage: The Rays' offense.

  • Derek Holland: 9-9, 8.10 K/9, 2.93 BB/9, .306 BABIP, 74.8% LOB, 3.53 FIP, 3.72 xFIP, 4.2 WAR - Last three starts: 13 runs allowed in 13.1 innings
  • Chris Archer: 9-7, 6.52 K/9, 2.64 BB/9, .242 BABIP, 79.6% LOB, 4.14 FIP, 4.07 xFIP, 1.0 WAR - Last three starts: 7 runs allowed in 13.2 innings

Advantage: The Rays' offense.

  • Yu Darvish: 12-9, 11.90 K/9, 3.16 BB/9, .258 BABIP, 83.6% LOB, 3.17 FIP, 2.77 xFIP, 4.9 WAR - Last three starts: 7 runs allowed in 19.0 innings
  • Matt Moore: 15-3, 8.54 K/9, 4.37 BB/9, .254 BABIP, 78.7% LOB, 3.74 FIP, 4.24 xFIP, 2.0 WAR - Last three starts: 1 run allowed in 14.2 innings (Last start in Minnesota was shortened by rain)

Advantage: The Rays' offense.

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Tampa Bay Rays (81-67, 2nd Place in AL East)

Rangers' Record vs. Tampa Bay: 2-1 (All at The Ballpark)

Tampa Bay's Recent Results: 2-1 road series win against the Minnesota Twins

Tampa Bay's 2013 Home Record: 45-28

Tropicana Field Park Factors (LHB/RHB): HR: 97/88 - Runs: 93/88

SB Nation Rays Blog: DRaysBay

Match-up: (as of 09/16) Rangers Rays Advantage
Batting (RAR) -23.2 (16th) 52.2 (4th) Gross
Base Running (RAR) -2.3 (16th) 2.4 (11th) The baserunning has been the bright spot this month. Think about that.
Starters (RAR) 111.9 57.5 The Rangers don't face David Price
Bullpen (RAR) 57.5 (2nd) 37.3 (10th) Where have you gone, Joe Nathan?
Defense (UZR) 27.0 (7th) 33.7 (4th) Just hit it to Desmond Jennings
Overall (UZR + RAR) 170.9 183.1

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Questions to Answer:

  • On a scale of 1 to 10: How much do you hope the 2013 Rangers clinch a Wild Card berth?
  • Who is your Return of the McLemore Approved Player to Watch in this series? (Well, I mean, Jim Aducci has been carrying the offense. Why should that change now?)
  • Over/Under: 0.5 runs scored on Thursday as the Rangers try to support Yu Darvish against Matt Moore?
  • What's your guess for line (IP/H/K/BB/ER) by Matt Garza tonight as the Rangers try to get some return on their investment against Garza's old team?
  • Yea or Nay: The Rangers win at least one more game during the 2013 season?