Preview: ALDS game five Texas Rangers vs Tampa Bay Rays
Few Tampa Bay Ray fans expected the team to play at Tropicana Field again in 2010 after losing the first two games of the American League Divisional Series to the Texas Rangers, but two wins by the Rays
in Texas, and game five of the best of five series is set to start in Tampa Bay Tuesday night.
Two ace left-handers will battle it out in the winner-take-all final game. Cliff Lee will pitch for Texas. He allowed one run on five hits in game one in Tampa Bay.
David Price will try to improve upon his game one outing for Tampa Bay. Price allowed five runs, four of them earned, on nine hits in the first game, a 5-1 Texas win.
“Going into any game, we like our chances with David Price, just as I'm sure they like their chances with Cliff Lee,” said Rays second baseman Sean Rodriguez “That's what makes it such a great matchup.
If you're an athlete, you live for games like this.”
Texas followed up their game one win with a 6-0 blanking of the home team that left most believing the Rangers were going to advance to their first ever American League Championship Series. But the Rays
stormed back winning in Texas by scores of 6-3 and 5-2 to even the series.
Jeff Francoeur was brought to Texas from the New York Mets on 31 August to bat against left-handers, and is expected to get the start in game five. He went 1-for-4 in game one with an RBI double and a
run scored.
“I'm ready to go,” Francoeur said. “I can't wait. They brought me here to hit lefties, and that's what I aim to do.”
Tampa Bay has a lefty expert of their own in Rodriguez. He didn’t get any hits in his first game against Lee, going 0-for-3, but he hit the ball hard in two at bats, and is looking to improve upon that
Tuesday night.
“This is a team that plays the game right, all 27 outs, and more if necessary,” Rodriguez said. “We have a lot of guys who can step in and do the job, and Joe [Maddon] knows how to put us in positions
to succeed. We all support each other, and pull for each other, which makes for good chemistry.”
Both teams will put it all on the line in hopes of winning the game. Regular starting pitchers won’t be surprised if they get the call to relieve Lee or Price. They don’t need to worry about being rested
for the next game if the next game isn’t until next spring.
“You've just got to play and have fun,” said Rangers reliever Darren Oliver. “Don't try to treat it any different. If you do, you might make a mistake, and one mistake can cost you. Lay it all on the line.”
The winner of game five will advance to the American League Championship Series (ALCS) against the New York Yankees, who beat the Minnesota Twins in three straight games in their first round series.
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