The best two lineups in the league are set to square off at Tropicana Field on Friday as the Texas Rangers (40-21) are on the road to face the Tampa Bay Rays (46-19) to open a three-game series.
The Rangers are heading on the road after a productive six-game homestand (5-1). They won two out of three in their last series against the Cardinals, dropping the finale 1-0 on Wednesday at Globe Life Field.
Corey Seager was 1 for 3 with a double. The Rays are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Twins, taking the finale 4-2 on Thursday at Tropicana Field for their sixth straight win. Harold Ramirez went 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Rays won four of the seven games between the teams, including two out of three in their most recent meeting at Tropicana Field in September.
ON THE MOUND
Andrew Heaney (4-3, 4.03 ERA) is set for the start for Texas. The LHP allowed three runs over three innings in his last start, a 16-6 road win over the Mariners on Saturday. He yielded six hits while striking out five and walking four in the no-decision.
AT THE PLATE
The Texas offense is averaging 6.3 runs per game for the season, the best in MLB, with a slash line of .277/.344/.458. Four Rangers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Marcus Semien (.863). The shortstop is slashing .299/.367/.496 with nine home runs, 50 RBIs, and 55 runs over 61 games.
Over the last five games, however, Texas has averaged 7.6 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.332/.400/.565). Tampa Bay is slashing .264/.340/.476 for the season and averaging 5.7 runs per game, second-best in MLB.
Four Rays hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Yandy Diaz (.977). The third baseman has 12 home runs, 34 RBIs, and 41 runs scored with a slash line of .316/.410/.566. Tampa Bay is averaging only 4.6 runs per game in the last five with their slash line dropping across the board (.206/.285/.368).
The Rays have a .922 OPS against Southpaws in 2023, the highest in the league. With a 1.186 OPS over 36 at-bats, Taylor Walls has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Texas is 19-12 in away games in 2023, scoring 5.9 runs per game while allowing 3.5 runs. Tampa Bay has won four in a row at their home ballpark.
The Rays are 29-6 at home this season, averaging 5.8 runs per game while surrendering 3.4. In the last 10 games between the teams at Tropicana Field, each club has won five, though Texas has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 3.6-3.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rangers lead the AL West by four games over the Astros. The Rays lead the AL East by six games over the Orioles.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
TB Rays (-165)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
