Rays At Rangers Playoff Matchup Is Remarkably Even

Monday night, the Texas Rangers (91-71) host the Tampa Bay Rays (91-71), in a one-game playoff for the second American League wild card spot. This game features a pitching matchup of the Rays David Price (9-8) vs. the Rangers Martin Perez (10-5). Price is 1-4 all-time at Texas.

Rangers OF Nelson Cruz will be in the lineup, after serving his 50-game suspension for performance enhancing drugs.

The Rangers, who fell apart at the beginning of September, won their last 7 regular season games, while the Rays have won 8 out of their last 10. The Rangers won the season series 4-3, providing them with the home field advantage in the playoff game.

This will be the 4th time in the last 7 years that a game 163 has been played. The previous 3 times, the home team has won.

The winner of Monday's contest will face the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night.