Three games, six runs allowed
Six runs. That’s all Tampa Bay gave up over its last three games against Texas, back in late July in Florida. The Rays won two of the three. The Rangers were not much better, allowing seven. It was a pitchers’ duel, the series was locked down, and nobody got comfortable.
It starts up again Thursday night in Arlington. Four games this time.
Skip Schumaker knows exactly what’s coming. “They pitch and defend first, with a few ways to hurt you in attack,” said the Rangers manager. No sugar-coating there.
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83-56, and numbers that sting
Tampa Bay arrives with the best record in the American League. 83 wins, 56 losses. That’s no fluke.
The Rays have allowed the fewest walks in MLB, just 345 in total. Their 1.14 WHIP is the best in the majors. Their bullpen has 54 saves, tops in the league. And Junior Caminero at third base has forced his way into the MVP conversation.
Schumaker summed it up plainly: “Their record is what it is for a reason.”
The Rangers, meanwhile, sit at 69-71. Below .500 and miles from the October train.
Quantrill vs McClanahan, a rematch from five weeks ago
Cal Quantrill gets the start for Texas. 6-5, 3.01 ERA. He won back his spot in the rotation after Nathan Eovaldi went on the injured list on August 10. He did not allow a run in his first two starts back. Then came a hiccup on Saturday against Milwaukee, three runs in six innings and a 5-3 loss.
Against Tampa Bay, though, it’s a different story. Three wins in six starts, 2.14 ERA. On July 28, he held the Rays to one run and two hits over five and a third innings. Texas won 4-1.
Across the way, Shane McClanahan. 10-6, 3.19. His last start on Friday against San Diego was nothing special, four runs allowed, but he still got the win. On July 30 against the Rangers, he left the mound in the fourth inning with a tight back. Tampa Bay still won 3-2.
Kevin Cash also got Griffin Jax back on Wednesday night after a month out with an elbow issue. The return was rough. Seven hits, six runs, out after two and two-thirds innings in a 10-4 loss to the Mets. The manager is not changing his rotation for now.
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