Sox Fans Root for Rays Tonight

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Tonight Red Sox Nation will be rooting for the Tampa Bay Rays to bump the Dangerous Rangers out of World Series contention; at least that’s what our poll showed: only 6% of Sox fans liked Texas as their team’s opponent.

If the Rays advance to play Francona’s Indians, the Red Sox Nation will change allegiances and pull for Cleveland, because the poll showed that Boston fans think that the Rays will be tougher to beat than the Indians.

Who are the Red Sox more likely to beat in Round One of the ALDS?

72% say the Cleveland Indians
21% say the Tampa Bay Rays
6% say the Texas Rangers

http://bosoxinjection.com/2013/09/28/sox-vs-rangers-yu-wins-2/

GAME TIME: 8:05 EST

GAME PREP:

Starting Pitching Match up

2013	G	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K/BB	K/9	BB/9
David Price	26	9	8	3.39	1.109	5.65	7.45	1.32
Martin Perez	19	10	5	3.55	1.345	2.26	5.97	2.65

Created by BaseballAnalytics.org on 9/30/2013

Offenses

2013	AVG	OBP	SLUG	OPS	HR	2B	K%	BB%	SB%
Texas Rangers	.263	.324	.413	.736	176	259	17.2%	7.5%	76.7%
(vs. TB)	.253	.324	.433	.756	9	13	18.6%	8.4%	83.3%
Tampa Bay Rays	.257	.329	.408	.737	164	294	18.8%	9.4%	66.1%
(vs. TX)	.217	.292	.300	.592	3	10	15.8%	8.8%	50.0%

Created by BaseballAnalytics.org on 9/30/2013

Rangers Notes:

Several members of the Ranger’s lineup have had success against David Price, who has a 1-4 record with a 5.98 ERA in 8 career starts against Texas.
Nelson Cruz has hit .429 with three homers and a .905 slugging percentage in 21 at bats but he could be rusty, coming off of a 50 game suspension
Alex Rios is hitting .435, two homers Vs. Price.
Elvis Andrus, Craig Gentry and Adrian Beltre each have a .340 plus average against Price.
Craig Gentry is hitting .472 in his last 10 games.
Martin Perez is 7-2 in his last 10 starts
Rangers have won 7 straight games to finish the season

“Since July 31, Perez is 7-2, 3.05 in 11 starts, holding opponents to a .251/.309/.387 slash in 73.2 innings. Over the same period, Price is 3-3, 3.15 in 11 starts, holding opponents to a .257/.286/.352 slash in 74.1 innings. That’s not at all to suggest Perez is a better pitcher or a more reliable big-game commodity than Price. Far from it. But given the economics and controllability, Perez is extremely valuable.

More importantly, for the moment, he’s pitching very well and has demonstrated a fairly unflappable mound presence. The Rays (nine total plate appearances) have basically never seen him. It doesn’t feel like he’s going to be overwhelmed by tonight’s assignment.”

Jamey Newberg of The Newberg Report

Rays Notes:

Rookie of The Year Candidate Wil Myers, has .318/.356/.536 on the road this year
Despite a lack of success against the Ranger’s, David Price is still an elite pitcher with big game experience
Apart from Wil Myers, no offensive starter is hitting over .270 over the past month
Rays are 16-12 in September as opposed to the Rangers 12-15
Rays have lowest k-rate (17.0%) against lefties on the road this season
Rays are 3rd in all MLB in average against lefties (CLE and COL)
A patient club… Rays have the highest walk rate in the majors at 9.4%
Lowest chase rate in MLB at 24%

“A lot has been written about David Price’s struggles with the Texas Rangers in the past; however, this is a different Rangers’ offense and a different Price. Previously, Price attacked the Rangers’ right-handed batters primarily with fastballs and changeups away. Now, the 28-year-old shows a willingness to attack righties inside while setting up his cutter – a pitch developed over the past year – on the outside corner. If he can establish this process early on, the result may be different this time around.”

Tommy Rancel of The Process Report