2013 MLB Postseason Picks: Tampa Bay Rays @ Texas Rangers Odds and Predictions – Free MLB Picks

2013 MLB Postseason Picks: Tampa Bay Rays @ Texas Rangers Odds and Predictions – Free MLB Picks: After 162 games, the final wild card spot in the American League has yet to be decided after Tampa Bay and Texas both finished the regular season with identical 91-71 records. As a result, the two teams will battle in a one-game playoff with the winner moving on to face Cleveland in the wild-card game. The Rangers will host the Monday’s meeting, but the Rays (-120) are favored in the game.

Fittingly, both sides are playing well heading into Monday’s crucial matchup, and while the Rays have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games, the Rangers ended the year on a seven-game winning streak to avoid a late collapse for the second year in a row. For a while, it appeared both teams were cruising to wild card berths, but 10-game winning streak by the Indians to close the season changed all that.

Tampa will send defending Cy Young winner David Price (9-8, 3.339 ERA) to the mound while Texas will send rookie Martin Perez (10-5, 3.55 ERA). Meanwhile, both starters are backed by strong bullpens. Offensively, Tampa Bay is led by third baseman Evan Longoria and has been bolstered by rookie Wil Myers, but the Texas has been the stronger offensive team statistically this season with a lineup featuring stars like Ian Kinsler and Adrian Beltre. It is also worth noting that the Rangers will get power-hitting outfielder Nelson Cruz back for the game after his suspension for PED use ended after the final game of the regular season.

The Rays Win If:

If the Rays are going to win this game, they need Price to deliver on the mound. After all, he is the defending American League Cy Young winner going up against a rookie, albeit a rookie that has pitched well this year. If Price gives up two runs or less and goes at least seven innings, he will definitely set the Rays up for success. At the plate, Tampa Bay needs its stars to deliver in big spots. The Rays don’t have a lot of pop in their lineup, but if they can get people on base in front of Longoria and Myers, they can still push some runs across the plate. If the Rays can get a few timely hits in an otherwise low-scoring game, they have the arms on the mound and in the pen to win the game.

The Rangers Win If:

Texas doesn’t need Perez to be flawless, but the rookie at least needs to handle the pressure of the situation and deliver quality start. Meanwhile, the Rangers need their powerful lineup to deliver. The lineup is loaded with players that can put runs on the board with one swing, and if Texas gets a couple of big hits, especially early, it is going to put a lot of pressure on a Tampa Bay offense that can be quiet at times. Scoring five or more runs would be huge for Texas. If the Rangers can jump on Price and the Rays early in support of Perez, they can shorten the game with their bullpen and hang on for the victory.

Bottom Line:

While both teams face a ton of pressure in this win-or-go-home situation, the Rangers have to really be feeling the heat. After all, there are several players on this team that were part of the group that lost the 2011 World Series in heartbreaking fashion and suffered an epic collapse to lose the division title last year and get bounced in the wild card game. Heck, Texas nearly collapsed again this season before rallying to force Monday’s one-game playoff. The moral of this story is that the Rangers’ recent track record of success in big games isn’t great, and even though they are at home Monday, they are running out a rookie against the defending Cy Young winner and facing a Tampa Bay team with a knack for timely hitting and the ability to manufacture runs. This is the type of pressure-packed game that can quiet bats, and a low-scoring game definitely favors the Rays. Look for a strong outing from Price and a couple of big hits to propel the Rays into the official postseason.

Prediction: Tampa Bay Rays Win the Game

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