Texas Rangers (67-49) at Tampa Bay Rays (71-46)

The Rangers are playing good ball in spite of themselves. You gotta love that. I mean, they almost can't lose, and they really try hard. They really do. I loved the game yesterday, romping it out to the BoSox, who happens to be on my hate list, but I prefer them over the Yankees. Now, in the AL East, the Rays are my favorite, probably because I am a Ray. Wouldn't it be awesome if my last name was Ranger? Still, how many people do you know that has a baseball team named after them? Not too many. Even if my last name was Yankee, I just don't think I would like them...

Cliff Lee is 2-2 as a Ranger. His starts are beginning to scare me, not in what he does, but in what the Rangers as a batting order do not accomplish, mainly getting some runs on the scoreboard. This guy has pitched his heart out and has only two runs to show for it. YUCK! Lee has an ERA 2.57 this season, but as a Ranger it is 2.97, kinda what that Wilson kid is doing right now. For every walk he gives up, he gives up a HR and has only given up nine walks this year (yes, only nine HR). He's done about what he is doing this season to Tampa Bay, so look for a typically awesome game from Lee.

Price has resembled a piece of wood when it comes to the Rangers. Yes, that is correct, he gets hammered. 14 runs in 13.1 innings typically translates into a 0-2 record, which is what Price sports against Texas. He has fanned 11 while walked 10, so it really is a control issue against the Rangers, and with these numbers, you would think that Texas would be batting more than the .250 average, as I would have guessed it would be more in the .290 to .310 range... so, somehow Price hasn't done as bad as the numbers would indicate.

On a side note, I would think that Cliff Lee would have a great shot at a no-no in this one tonight, but maybe it isn't fair for me to pre-call that one, but it seems everybody else is throwing one, either for or against Tampa Bay this season, so why not Cliff Lee? It could happen.

Forecast: Obviously, I like the Rangers for this one. So much so, that I will predict Tampa Bay getting shutout. And the idea of a no-hitter or perfect game from Cliff Lee? I would say so only if Ian Kinsler is at second base, but he isn't going to be back tonight. Score: 5-0.