Rangers vs Rays Game 2 MLB Playoffs 2010 Picks, Predictions & Odds: The Texas Rangers took the upper hand over Tampa Bay in the American League Divisional Playoffs by taking Game-1 on the arm of ace left-hander Cliff Lee. The Rangers victory yesterday puts a lot of pressure on the Rays to even up the series today vice going down two games at home before traveling to Arlington for Game-3.
Looking to get a win, the Rangers will start right-hander James Shields. The veteran Shields, finished the regular season with a 13-15 record and 5.18 ERA. Countering for the Rangers is lefthander C.J. Wilson who went 15-8 in the regular season with a 3.35 ERA.
Tampa Bay is listed as a -121 favorite on the Sportsbook.com MLB Playoffs board with an 8-run total. Rangers backers are getting +111 odds as the underdog. These odds are based on Shields and Wilson starting the game.
Wilson was 0-3 with a 6.26 ERA in five September starts but allowed just two runs in five innings vs. the Angels his last time out. He was 4-5 with a 2.91 ERA in 14 starts on the road. His only start vs. the Rays was at home, beating them, 9-6.
Shields' 5.18 ERA is the highest among the Rays' starters. He has been better at home, 4.53 ERA compared to 5.82 on the road, and that clearly played into the decision to start him in Game 2. He is 31-21 with a 3.60 ERA at the Trop in his career.
MLB Picks: Game-2 is a must win for the Rays, but this is a team accustomed to pressure just from being part of the pressure cooker called the AL East. I fully expect Tampa Bay to step up and even the series at 1-1.
Bengie Molina belted a solo homer as the Rangers upset the Rays 5-1 in the opener of their playoff series on Wednesday. The Rangers won that game as +123 underdogs, while the six runs went UNDER the posted over/under (7) set by sportsbooks. Cliff Lee allowed just five hits and one earned run over seven innings with 10 strikeouts in getting the Rangers the victory. Ben Zobrist homered for the Rays, while David Price surrendered nine hits and five runs over 6 2-3 innings in the loss.
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