American League
Team W L GB Left
Texas 83 69 - 10
Tampa Bay 83 69 - 10
Cleveland 83 70 0.5 9
Baltimore 81 71 2.0 10
Kansas City 80 72 3.0 10
NY Yankees 80 73 3.5 9
Despite taking 2 of three from the Rays the Rangers have put themselves in an interesting position. They have been so bad down the stretch that I wouldn't be shocked if they get swept here. I don't think they are playing better I think the Rays were just playing worse and they got to face a team with a poor bullpen something that won't happen in this series. The Royals bullpen has been outstanding and should be able to keep themselves in all three games and win if they have the lead as they have a 2.25 ERA in their last 10 games alone.
The Starters - Martin Perez makes his 2nd start on 4 days rest for just the second time this year. Perez only went 5 innings the last time he did it giving up 5 ER. He's got a 4.04 ERA on the road and his last two starts he's allowed 16 hits in 11.1 innings showing signs of his age. Perez may get through the line up the first time but I expect the Royals who know they need this game being 3 games out to make the necessary adjustments the second time through. The Royals meanwhile send Ervin Santana to the mound who has been terrific this season. He's got a 3.42 ERA at home and a 2.96 ERA at night. We are getting great value here because Santana has struggled vs. the Rangers in the past, but a more detailed look and you realize it was against the old Rangers team and on the road. His biggest issue was the long ball, but he comes into this game on 5 days rest where he has never allowed more than 1 HR in a start, over 12 starts this season. In fact he's only allowed 5 total home runs and he's had a quality start in every start on 5 days rest posting a 2.24 ERA overall and 1.95 at home. The one guy in the line up that has truly hit Santana hard is Kinsler who leads off and is not the same hitter that can carry an offense. Kinsler is also hitting just .267 over the last 7 days and .263 on the road this year.
I expect the Royals to win tonight and continue to make the AL Wild card an interesting race.
