<p>
The 27-26 Tampa Bay Rays travel to Texas to take on the 25-26 Texas Rangers in the first game of a three-game set in Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas tonight. The first pitch at is scheduled to be thrown at 8:05 PM ET.
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<p>
The MLB betting board for this lists the hosting Rangers as a -135 money line favorite over the Rays in the opener. The O/U line for this match is posted at 9.5 runs.
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<p>
In their last match, the Rays beat the Twins 8-6 in 15 innings. In that game, the Rays scored eight runs on 18 hits and the Twins scored six runs on 13 hits. Evan Longoria and Logan Morrison hit back-to-back HR in the 15th inning for Tampa Bay.
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<p>
In their latest, the Rangers beat the Blue Jays 3-1. In that match, the Rangers scored three runs on 10 hits and the Blue Jays scored one run on seven hits.
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<p>
This season the Rays rank 10th in the Majors in runs scored and 3rd in team ERA.
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The Rangers rank 11th in the Majors in runs scored and 12th in team ERA.
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<h2>
Pitching Match Up<br />
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<p>
Tampa Bay: Erasmo Ramirez (3-0, 2.92 ERA)<br />
Texas: Martin Perez (2-5, 3.77 ERA)
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<p>
Erasmo Perez goes for the Rays tonight and he got he save in the 15-inning game against the Twins yesterday. In his last start he gave up two earned runs in six innings on a 5-2 win over the L.A. Angels. Tampa Bay has won Ramirez’s first two starts since the reliever joined the rotation where he has worked 11 innings and given up four earned runs. He has 11 career appearances and four starts facing the Rangers and is 0-1 with an ERA of 5.72. Overall, the Rays have won Ramirez’s last four starts and they have won nine of their last 13 road games when he has gotten the starting nod.
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<p>
Martin Perez gets the call for the Rangers and in his last start he went six innings and gave up three earned runs, but the bullpen fell apart in a 9-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox. Texas had won Perez’s previous two starts, after losing five straight with him on the hill, where he totaled 13 innings and have up four earned runs. In his career against Tampa he is 0-2 with an ERA of 5.33. The Rangers have won 14 of Perez’s last 20 home starts, but they have lost nine of his last 12 starts overall. Texas has lost his last four starts against teams from the AL East.
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<h2>
Betting Angles<br />
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<p>
The Rays are 4-1 in their last 5 games against the Rangers.
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<p>
In the last 4 games between these teams in Texas the Under record is 3-0-1.
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<p>
This season the Rangers are 16-8 at home and the Rays are 11-13 on the road.
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<h2>
Straight Up / Over/Under / Run Line Records<br />
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<p>
Tampa Bay Rays: 27-26 SU / O/U 29-24 / Run Line W/L 30-23<br />
Texas Rangers: 25-26 SU / O/U 23-28 / Run Line W/L 29-22
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<h2>
Tampa Bay at Texas Key Betting Trends<br />
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<ul>
<li>
TB is 4-1 in their last 5 road games
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<li>
TB is 2-6 in their last 8 games vs. a left-handed starter
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TB has an Under record of 7-1 in their last 8 games
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TEX is 1-5 in their last 6 overall
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TEX is 16-5 in their last 21 home games
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<li>
TEX has an Over record of 4-1 in their last 5 games
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<h2>
Key Player Injuries<br />
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<p>
<b>RAYS</b><br />
[CF] 04/14/2017 - Mallex Smith 10-day DL (4/14) ( Hamstring )<br />
[P] 05/25/2017 - Jumbo Diaz 10-day DL (5/23) ( Arm )<br />
[SS] 05/18/2017 - Brad Miller 10-day DL (5/16) ( Abdominal )<br />
[P] 05/18/2017 - Xavier Cedeno 60-day DL (4/18) ( Forearm )<br />
[P] 04/03/2017 - Brad Boxberge 60-day DL (4/1) ( Arm )<br />
[3B] 04/01/2017 - Matt Duffy 10-day DL (4/1) ( Heel )<br />
[P] 04/01/2017 - Nathan Eovaldi 60-day DL (3/8) ( Elbow )<br />
[C] 04/01/2017 - Wilson Ramos 60-day DL (4/1) ( Knee )
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<p>
<b>RANGERS</b><br />
[P] 04/01/2017 - Chi Chi Gonzalez 60-day DL (4/02) ( Elbow )<br />
[3B] 04/01/2017 - Adrian Beltre 10-day DL (3/30) ( Calf )<br />
[C] 03/31/2017 - Brett Nicholas 10-day DL (3/30) ( Knee )<br />
[P] 03/31/2017 - Jake Diekman 60-day DL (2/14) ( Intestinal )<br />
[SS] 04/03/2017 - Hanser Alberto 60-day DL (3/30) ( Shoulder )<br />
[P] 04/01/2017 - Tanner Schepper 10-day DL (3/30) ( Abdominal )<br />
[CF] 05/15/2017 - Carlos Gomez 10-day DL (5/15) ( Hamstring )<br />
[P] 05/26/2017 - A.J. Griffin 10-day DL (5/27) ( Ribs )<br />
[P] 04/03/2017 - Tyson Ross 10-day DL (3/30) ( Undisclosed )<br />
[P] 05/09/2017 - Jose Leclerc 10-day DL (5/8) ( Finger )<br />
[P] 05/03/2017 - Cole Hamels 10-day DL (4/30) ( Oblique )
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