After finally snapping a brutal seven game-losing streak on Tuesday night, the Texas Rangers continue to control their own destiny in the race for an AL Wild Card position.
The Rangers are in Florida to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the second of a crucial four-game series against one of the many teams in contention for a Wild Card berth into the postseason.
One of the main areas of concern for the Rangers is the DH spot. Evan Grant from Dallas Morning News Rangers Blog puts it this way:
Lance Berkman flunked his most recent two-day audition and is hitless in 22 at-bats dating back to before he went on the DL in July, so manager Ron Washington will once again look for answers from elsewhere on the roster.
As a result, the Rangers are mixing up the lineup for tonight’s game with regular 2B Ian Kinsler acting as a DH and star rookie Jurickson Profar getting the start at second.
The starting pitcher for the Rangers on Wednesday night will be Derek Holland. Holland is one the many starting pitchers who were at the forefront of the Rangers struggles in September. As Todd Willis of ESPNDallas.com Blog points out:
He has allowed 22 hits, seven walks and five home runs this month. Holland is winless in his last seven starts, the longest drought of his career. He has failed to complete six innings in each of his last three starts