Rays Go Extras to Top Rangers; Huge Game Tonight
Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE
The Tampa Bay Rays somehow managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat on Wednesday in a nail biting 12 inning 4-3 win over the Texas Rangers. The Rays and Rangers went into the game in a tie for both the first and second American League Wild Card spots. But if you think this means all this was about was home field for the A. L. Wild Card game, think again. The Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals are all right on the Rays and Rangers heels for one or both of those spots.
In a game where the Rays shot themselves in the foot defensively, allowing all three Texas runs to score on plays that should have been made, they fought until the end. Sean Rodriguez hit a two out two run homer in the sixth inning to tie the game 2-2. He then made a diving catch in the ninth on a sinking line drive to help send it to extras.
In the top of the 11th, Wil Myers failed to charge the ball on a single to right field that allowed Elvis Andrus, who was running on the pitch from first base, to score the go ahead run. But after Evan Longoria and Myers both flied out to lead off the bottom of the 11th, Matt Joyce worked a walk from Joe Nathan and then pinch runner Freddy Guzman stole second and was singled home by David DeJesus.
Then in the top of the 12th, the Rangers had runners at first and third with one out but failed to score when Alex Torres and Brandon Gomes each forced infield popups to get out of the inning. In the bottom of the 12th, Desmond Jennings, whose misplayed ball in center field ten innings earlier led to two Texas runs, redeemed himself by singling to right to score pinch runner Sam Fuld from second base with the game winner.
So how big is tonight’s game? The winner will win the season series which means they would host the Wild Card game if these two teams end tied for both spots. Plus, the loser will be in danger of missing the post season altogether, especially if that team is Texas. They have now lost eight of the last nine game and are only a half game up on the Indians, one on the Orioles and 2.5 on the Yanks and Royals. The Royals are off tonight and the Yanks and Indians are playing last place teams. The O’s are at the division leading Boston Red Sox, who are still fighting for home field advantage in the American League.
Oddsmaker has odds on tonight’s game. Texas and Yu Darvish are -1.5 +150 ATS and the Rays behind Matt Moore are +1.5 -170 ATS. Moneyline has the Rangers -110 and the Rays EVEN. Over/Under is 6.5 with both -110.
What a great pitching match-up for this game! It’s tough to pick against either of these two guys. But we are going to take Texas -110, however we like the Rays +1.5 -170. We also like the under.
