Jeff Mattingly: Sunday MLB Divisional Series Previews - 10/10

[Jeff Mattingly]

Jeff Mattingly previews Game 4 of the American League Divisional Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark.

Tampa Bay is focusing on evening the series at two games apiece after picking up a 6-3 road win over the Rangers last night. "I feel so much better. It feels like we're winning the series right now," Rays outfielder Carl Crawford stated. The Rays were outscored 11-1 in the first two games of the series at home, but totaled 11 hits in Game 3 to extend the series. It also snapped a five-game postseason losing streak for the club, recording its first win since Game 2 of the 2008 World Series. Tampa Bay also has a chance of owning identical home and road records this season with a victory in today's daytime contest (49-34). Tampa is 29-21 in day games this season and 14-12 when playing on Sunday.

Rays starting pitcher Wade Davis produced a 12-10 record and 4.07 ERA in 29 regular season starts this year and the team has alternated wins and losses in his last seven outings. His 12 victories led all American League rookies and ranked second in baseball behind St. Louis' Jaime Garcia (13). The right-hander posted a 6-3 mark and 3.94 ERA in 14 road starts, issuing 26 free passes and compiling 59 strikeouts. Davis made his first and only start against the Rangers on June 4 in Arlington, allowing a season-high eight runs in a season-low 3.1 innings in the Rays 9-6 loss. He will be making his first postseason appearance of his career.

Texas was five outs away from going to the American League Championship Series but it will have to wait another day after dropping Saturday's contest. "They beat us," said reliever Darren Oliver. "They beat me. They beat us in all facets of the game." The Rangers can still take comfort in knowing that out of 16 teams before this year to lose the first two games of a division series at home, only the 2001 New York Yankees swept the next three to advance. Fans have definitely come out to support the club, as Game 3 drew 51,746, the largest crowd to witness a game at the Ballpark in Arlington. The team is still 51-32 at home this year.

Rangers starting pitcher Tommy Hunter compiled a 13-4 record and 3.73 ERA in 23 games (22 starts) during the regular season. The right-hander finished a perfect 7-0 with a 3.06 ERA in 12 regular season appearances (11 starts) at home, issuing just 13 walks and striking out 41 in 67.2 innings of work. He made just four daytime starts, posting an even 2-2 mark and 3.90 ERA. In four career outings versus the Rays, Hunter is 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA, but dropped a 10-1 road contest on August 17 against them. He allowed four runs and six hits over three innings in that contest.

Bettors may elect to back the Rays to even up the series due to the team's 7-1 mark in Davis' last eight road starts, while the Rangers are tough to lay with the club being 11-1 in Hunter's last 12 starts as a home favorite.