2010 MLB Playoffs: Rangers vs Rays Series Betting Odds: The Texas Rangers (90-72), winners of the American League West Division and American League East champs Tampa Bay Rays ( 96-86) will begin play in their American League Divisional Series on Wednesday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. The series will be a played in a best of five games format (2-2-1). The first team to win three games wins the series. MLB oddsmakers at BetUS.com list the Rays as slight -155 odds favorites to win the series.
The Rays completed regular season play with the best record in the American League, one game ahead of the New York Yankees in the AL East. The Yankees, who had the second best record at 95-67 made the ALDS playoffs as the AL Wild Card team.
A big reason the Rangers are in the post season is because of pitching. Leading the rotation is former Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee. The ace lefthander will start Game-1 for the Rangers Wednesday afternoon. Countering for Tampa Bay is second year starter David Price. The Rays left-hander is a top Cy Young candidate in 2010 with a 19-6 record to go along with a 2.72 ERA. Lee was 12-9 in the regular season with a 3.18 ERA.
Rangers left-hander C.J. Wilson (15-8, 3.35 ERA) will get the start in Game-2 and will be countered by Rays ace right-hander James Shields (13-15, 5.18 ERA). Matt Garza (15-10, 3.91 ERA) is expected to get the call for Tampa Bay in Game-3 to be played in Arlington while Colby Lewis (12-13, 3.72 ERA) is scheduled to start for Texas. If the series goes four games, Tampa Bay will start right-hander Wade Davis (12-10, 4.07 ERA) while Texas goes with right-hander Tommy Hunter (13-4, 3.73 ERA).
This should be an exciting series with fresh teams. Unfortunately, Tropicana Field is a dump and gives the Rays a competitive edge. I think the Rays have the best pitching overall and will prevail. I see this series going the full five games with the Rays winning Game-5 at home.
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