Date: Sunday July 5th
Time: 8:05 PM ET
TV: ESPN
Line: Rays -140 / Rangers +130
Total: 10 Under -120 / Over +100
Rays Road Record: 18-24
Rangers Home Record: 26-17
Rays Last 10: 7-3
Rangers Last 10: 6-4

Pitchers:
Matt Garza (TB) 6-5 / 3.45 ERA / 88 K’s
Scott Feldman (TX) 6-2 / 4.09 ERA / 43 K’s

Halfway through the season, the Tampa Bay Rays aren't in the same position they were in last year, but are still in the hunt in their division. The surprising Texas Rangers, meanwhile, are on top of theirs, tied with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Both teams are starting to turn it on as they make a run at the post season. It should be a hot night in Arlington, with ESPN showcasing the defending AL champion Rays against the surprising Rangers.

The two contenders will continue their three-game series at Rangers Ballpark on Saturday night as Texas looks for a fourth straight win.

Texas won the opener Friday Night 3-1 behind Hank Blaylock, who hit a home run for the second game in a row.

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The Rangers' offense, though, has been impressive in the last two games. After averaging 3.6 runs and batting .207 during a 3-8 slump from June 18-29, Texas scored nine runs apiece in back-to-back wins over the Los Angeles Angels in a series between the AL West's top teams.

Tampa Bay (44-37) is five games behind its mark at the midpoint of last season; when it held a slim lead atop the powerful AL East and went on to win its first division title and pennant. The Rays are in third place this year, five games behind Boston and three behind the New York Yankees.

While Tampa Bay figured to contend following its first World Series appearance, Texas (43-35) has exceeded expectations to this point. The Rangers, who won 79 games last season, have moved back into a tie for first place with the Los Angeles Angels in the AL West after winning 3-1 on Friday

The Rays' strengths are speed and power. Tampa Bay leads the majors with 443 runs. 72 games is how long it took the Rays to total at least 100 homers and 100 stolen bases, the quickest of the five teams in major-league history to do so before the All-Star break. The Rays speed comes from Carl Crawford, Upton and Jason Bartlett. The power is provided by Carlos Pena, Evan Longoria and Ben Zobrist. Zobrist has been the bust out player in the A.L. this year, hitting .292 with 16 Hrs and 46 RBI with a .412 OBP. He was penciled in as the fourth outfielder when camp broke, but has found a home at SS, RF and 2nd base due to multiple injuries on the squad.

B.J. Upton batted .324 with five home runs, 20 runs scored 22 RBIs and an AL-best 10 doubles. The 24-year-old leadoff hitter also posted a .562 slugging percentage, a .395 on-base percentage and led the Majors with 14 stolen bases for the month. Entering today's game at Texas, Upton ranks third in the Majors with 29 stolen bases, behind teammate Carl Crawford (40) and Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury (33). Upton was named A.L. Player of the month for June.

The Rangers have shown surprising grit in staying atop the A.L. West while Josh Hamilton has been on the DL. The Rangers still rely on the long ball with Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz both sitting at 19 Hrs. Both have struggled of late and Marlon Byrd has been up and down all season. Chris Davis has 15 Hrs and 113 strike outs. Michael Young is hitting .312 with 10HRs and 30 RBI.

Matt Garza who has won his last two starts, will move up and start in place of Jeff Niemann on Sunday, the Tampa Tribune reports. Garza pitched 7 innings against Toronto on June 30 giving up only 1 earned run in the 4-1 Rays Victory. Garza took care of the Phillies on June 24th throwing 8 innings, giving up 1 earned run and 3 hits, while striking out 7 in 8 innings.

Scott Feldman allowed three earned runs over six innings against the Angels on Tuesday. He needed 116 pitches but battled through some trouble late in his outing. In his career at home, Feldman has pitched in 59 games -- 19 starts -- and has a 4.02 ERA over 174 2/3 innings pitched and is 4-5. In five games -- just one start -- he is 1-1 over 12 innings with a 3.00 ERA. Feldman has a 3.91 ERA over 46 innings pitched at home this season.

Betting Trends:
The Rays are 7-3 in their last 10 games
The Rays are 6-1 in their last 7 games against a right handed starter
The UNDER is 6-0 in the Rays last 6 games
The Rangers are 8-3 in Scott Feldman’s last 11 starts
The UNDER is 19-6 in the Rangers last 15 home games
The UNDER is 5-1 in the last 6 games between the two squads