Game 163

By Austin McNabb

Instead of playing 162 games in the regular season, two teams will play 163.

On Monday night, the Texas Rangers will face the Tampa Bay Rays in a tie-breaker for the AL wild-card second seed at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

The winner of tonight’s game will go north to take on the Cleveland Indians in the AL wild-card game Wednesday at 7:07 CDT.

With three games left in the regular season, the Rays led the Indians in the wild-card’s top spot by one game with Texas a game behind Cleveland. Not only did the Indians win all three of their final games and move ahead of the Rays by a game, but Tampa Bay lost two out of the three games while Texas won their last three, causing for a tie in the AL wild card’s last seed.

Tonight on the mound for the Rangers, starting pitcher Martin Perez (3.55 ERA, 10-5) will be looking to stay hot during the month of August and September in which the 22-year-old pitcher has a 2.36 ERA and only walked 11 in 42 1/3 innings.

In the other dugout, Perez will face Rays starting pitcher David Price (3.39 ERA, 9-8). Against the Rangers, the former Cy Young winner has a 5.98 ERA and a 1-4 record. Price is looking to build back-to-back wins after losing three straight.

After going 6-21, Texas (91-71) is currently on a seven-game winning streak after sweeping Houston and the Angels at home. Tampa Bay (91-71) has won their last 13 of 18 games despite losing the AL wild-card lead over the weekend.

Texas leads the season series 4-3, which is why they are hosting tonight’s game.

First pitch starts Monday at 7:07 CDT at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.