Yesterday's win over Price put the Rangers in an aggresive situation. They have nothing to lose today because a split on the road is exactly what you go for as a road team. Now they can really be aggressive to go up 2-0. This is bad news for Jamie Shields who struggles vs. aggressive hitters as the throws strikes early and gets batters with his change up later. This is a very odd choice by Madden in this spot where the Rays need a win. A choice of Garza would have been better in my opinion, but that's why he's manager. Rangers have 124 AB and a .298 average. Vlad arguably the most aggressive hitter in the game has a .394 average with 2 HR in 33 AB vs. Shields who has a 5.00 ERA during his day starts this year and a 4.53 ERA at home. He does have two quality starts vs. the Rangers here this year 14 IP 4 ER on 14 hits and 2BB, but again this is a hot Rangers team and Shields has not looked good in nearly a month with his last three starts giving up 16 ER vs. the Yankees, Mariners, and Royals.
Rangers on the other hand have been swinging the bats well with a .287 average and 5.83 runs per 9 vs. RHP in their last 10 games 5.22 runs per 9 overall. Rays have struggled for a while now which led to them limping into the playoffs with 2.57 runs per 9 overall in their last 10. They face another tough lefty they haven't seen that much. Longoria is 0-6 vs. Wilson and has really struggled since taking time off for an injury. Wilson has a 3.42 ERA during day starts and a 2.91 ERA on the road. TB just .191 average in 47 AB with a .592 OPS. Rangers are 41-18 in their last 59 vs. a starter with a whip greater than 1.30 and 24-7 in Wilsons last 31 starts.
