Rangers vs Rays Game 2 Preview: Tampa Bay turns to Eflin to extend wild-card series

Eovaldi Hoping to Send Rangers to ALDS

More Scoring In Game 2? After Quiet Series Opener

The visiting Texas Rangers moved a game away from reaching the American League Divisional series by capitalizing on mistakes from a Tampa Bay team that was tied for the MLB lead for home wins during the regular season. When looking at the Rangers vs Rays Game 2 odds, host Tampa Bay is favored again.

The Tampa Bay Rays have lost their last six postseason games and managed just one run over the last three after being blanked by visiting Texas in the series opener.

Nathan Eovaldi gets the start as Texas tries to eliminate the Rays with Zach Eflin, a member of the Philadelphia Phillies team that reached the 2022 World Series, going for the Rays.

Texas has won five of the seven games against Tampa Bay this season. All four games between the teams that were hosted by the Rays finished under the total.

When it comes to the MLB scores and odds, Texas has covered 27 of its 42 road games while Tampa Bay is just 38-40 against the MLB lines at home.

Tampa Bay finished nine games ahead of Texas in the MLB standings during the regular season so consider that when it comes to Game 2.

The Rays are priced at -153 to win Wednesday’s game. However, the odds for them to win the series moved from -175 to +185 following the Game 1 loss.

The odds to win the World Series went from +1600 to +1200 for Texas and tumbled from +1100 to +2200 for Tampa Bay.

Rangers logo Rangers vs Rays Rays logo

Date & Time:
Location: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
Line: Tampa Bay -155
Total: 8

Rangers Look to Advance

With Jordan Montgomery looking like a pitcher who came into Game 1 with a 1.35 ERA in two career postseason appearances, his teammates provided plenty of support.

Eight of the nine starters reached base at least once with the lone exception being rookie third baseman Josh Jung and he drove in the game’s first run with a sacrifice fly in the second inning.

No. 9 hitter Evan Carter had two doubles and walked twice while Corey Seager and Leody Tavares also had two hits. Seager was among the MLB stat leaders batting with runners in scoring position during the regular season. Keep that in mind when it comes to the Rangers vs Rays Game 2 preview.

The total has gone under in five of the last six games played by the Rangers.

Tampa Bay Looks Ready to Bounce Back

Four errors, a wild pitch, and just one hit with runners in scoring position put Tampa Bay on the brink of elimination.

The Rays finished sixth in the American League in fielding percentage during the regular season so the miscues were a bit out of character.

A throwing error by outfielder Jose Siri accounted for the final run for Texas in the 4-0 win.

Eflin was 6-1 with a 3.46 ERA following a Tampa Bay loss during the regular season and he will be asked to keep the title hopes alive for a team that won 99 games during the regular season. When it comes to the Rangers vs Rays Game 2 breakdown, his ability to deliver following a loss could be a factor.

The total has gone over in nine of the last 11 games for Tampa Bay.

Who’s Hot

  • Randy Arozarena, Tampa Bay Rays OF: Four of Arozarena’s last five hits have gone for extra bases after he doubled in Game 1.
  • Adolis Garcia, Texas Rangers OF: Garcia is 10-35 with two doubles, four home runs, seven runs scored, and five RBIs in his last 10 games.
  • Andrew Kittredge, Tampa Bay Rays P: Kittredge has allowed one run in his last 10 appearances with 10 strikeouts over 9.1 innings during that stretch.
  • Jose LeClerc, Texas Rangers P: LeClerc, who pitched a scoreless ninth inning in the series opener, hasn’t surrendered a run in his last nine appearances. He has allowed four hits and struck out 13 in 9.2 innings during that time.

Who’s Not

  • Nathan Eovaldi, Texas Rangers P: Eovaldi has allowed 11 hits, four home runs, and 12 runs over 8.1 innings in his last two starts.
  • Robbie Grossman, Texas Rangers OF: Grossman is 1-for-16 with five strikeouts in his last seven games.
  • Curtis Mead, Tampa Bay Rays IF: Mead is 1-for-11 in his last three games and has gone seven straight games without an extra-base hit.
  • Erasmo Ramirez, Tampa Bay Rays: Ramirez has given up 16 hits and 12 runs (10 earned) in 10.2 innings over his last five outings.

Rangers vs Rays Injury Update

Pitcher Max Scherzer (shoulder) is expected to be ready to start Game 3 for the Rangers if Texas fails to close out Tampa Bay. Jon Gray (forearm) and Brett Martin (shoulder) are currently sidelined for Texas.

For Tampa Bay, Luke Raley (neck) is expected to be available while infielder Brandon Lowe (knee) and pitcher Jason Adam (oblique) are on the MLB injured list.

Rangers vs Rays Betting Preview

Eflin has been a key member of the Tampa Bay pitching staff that has been ravaged by injuries and the American League co-leader with 16 wins is set for his most important start of the season as the Rays can be eliminated with a loss.

Tampa Bay had the best team ERA in the majors during the regular season following a loss.

The teams were a combined 3-for-19 with runners in scoring position in Game 1. Expect a little better performance in Game 2, especially when looking at Eovaldi’s recent struggles.

Texas is 36-19 against the run line when listed as the underdog.
Texas has won 10 of its last 11 games against American League East teams.

In four of the last five games when Texas played at Tampa, the game landed over the total.

The total has gone over in four of the last five times that Texas and Tampa Bay have met at Tropicana Field.

After making things a little too easy for Texas in the series opener, go with Tampa Bay to bounce back and extend the series.


For MLB betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.


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