Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays 9/16/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

Last Updated: 09/15/2022 at 10:54 PM ET

The Texas Rangers open a three-game series on the road Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Texas is 62-81 following its 8-7 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday. Corey Seager committed a ninth-inning error that led to Oakland taking the lead and defeating the Rangers. Texas is third in the American League West, but 31 games behind first-place and eliminated from playoff contention.

First baseman Nathaniel Lowe is batting .309 to lead Texas and has team highs in hits with 162 and on-base percentage at .363. Shortstop Corey Seager is the leader in home runs with 30 and right fielder Adolis Garcia is the leader in RBIs with 92. On Friday, the Texas Rangers will send Martin Perez to the mound. The left-hander is 11-6 with a 2.77 ERA, 156 Ks and 57 BBs.

Tampa Bay dropped to 79-63 following its 5-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday. Tampa Bay has lost three of the first four of a five-game series against Toronto that concludes on Thursday. Tampa Bay is third in the American League East 7 ½ games first place and the Rays currently hold the third and final spot in the AL Wild Card race, four games ahead of fourth place Baltimore.

Third baseman Yandy Diaz is batting .295 to lead Tampa Bay and has a team-high .404 on-base percentage. Left fielder Randy Arozarena is the leader in home runs with 19, RBIs with 78 and hits with 139. On Friday, the Tampa Bay Rays will send Corey Kluber to the mound. The right-hander is 10-8 with a 4.36 ERA, 122 Ks and 19 BBs.

Tampa Bay has lost five of the last six overall Texas starter Martin Perez has had two consecutive strong outings allowing a combined two runs on 12 hits across 13 innings. Tampa Bay starting pitcher Corey Kluber was hit hard last time out allowing six runs on eight hits and did not make it out of the first inning, in a 10-3 loss to the Yankees last Saturday. Final Score Prediction, Texas Rangers win 5-2.

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