GameDay Preview (Sunday): Top Lefties McClanahan, Perez Battle in Rays-Rangers Finale
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The numbers speak for themselves. Tampa Bay left-hander Shane McClanahan, who started the All-Star game for the American League a year ago, is 9-1 this season. He's pitching on Sunday against Texas, and his counterpart — fellow lefty Martin Perez — is 6-1 so far for the Rangers.
It's a high-profile matchup in this series finale, which is tied at a game apiece between the two teams with the best records in baseball. Tampa Bay is 47-20, Texas 41-22 heading into Sunday's 1:40 p.m. game at Tropicana Field. The Rangers' mark is their best record ever through 63 games.
Texas is also hoping to win another road series, something they've done with regularity. They've won six in a row — also a franchise record — and seek No. 7 on Sunday.
It won't be easy, because McClanahan has been very good at home, where he's 4-0 with a 1.22 ERA.
The Rays are 11-2 in McClanahan's 13 starts this season, and he has a 2.02 earned run average. He's given up two runs or less in 12 of his 13 starts, with just one hiccup in New York on May 13 against the Yankees, where he gave up two homers right after walks and allowed four runs in four innings.
He's been great otherwise, with his only loss coming on May 30 against the Cubs in Chicago, where he lost 2-1.
"What I like is his consistency, and the way he's dominating,'' Rays manager Kevin Cash said. ''Every time he goes out, he gives us a really good chance to win and he gets deep in ballgames, and he prevents runs as well as anybody because he's got great stuff.
"He's driven and motivated, and he stays focused start to start.''
Perez hasn't been as dominant, but he's been winning games for the Rangers, nonetheless. He's 6-1 overall and the Rangers are 9-3 in his starts. He beat Tampa Bay twice last year, including a gem at home in late May, where he went seven scoreless innings and allowed only three hits.
The Rays have been good against left-handers this season. They are 10-3 against lefty starters, the best record in baseball.
"I'm looking forward to this one,'' Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. ''Two really good lefties. We all know how good the guy is that we're facing. I'm looking forward to it.''
The Rays lead the American League East by 5.5 games over the Baltimore Orioles and the Rangers are five games ahead of the Houston Astros in the AL West. The two teams meet again July 17-19 for a three-game series in Arlington, Texas.
Tampa Bay is 30-7 at home after Saturday's loss, which ended a seven-game winning streak. They are one of just seven teams since 1901 to win at least 30 of their first 37 games.
Here are Sunday's starting lineups:
Texas Rangers starting lineup
- Marcus Semien, 2B
- Corey Seager, DH
- Nathaniel Lowe, 1B
- Adolis Garcia, RF
- Josh Jung, 3B
- Jonah Heim, C
- Ezequiel Duran, SS
- Robbie Grossman, LF
- Leody Taveras, CF
SP — Martin Perez (6-1, 3.97 ERA)
Tampa Bay Rays starting lineup
- Yandy Diaz, 1B
- Wander Franco, SS
- Harold Ramirez, DH
- Randy Arozarena, LF
- Isaac Paredes, 3B
- Jose Siri, CF
- Christian Bethancourt, C
- Manuel Margot, RF
- Taylor Walls, 2B
SP — Shane McClanahan (9-1, 2.02 ERA)
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