Tampa Bay Rays news and notes

List of the day

The best records in the majors starting with games of April 30 through Wednesday:

Dodgers 36-21

Rays 36-22

Yankees 34-22

Red Sox 34-23

Angels 33-23

The dish

Rays at Rangers

When/where: 8:05 tonight; Rangers Ballpark, Arlington, Texas

TV/radio: FSN; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Probable pitchers

Rays: LHP Scott Kazmir (4-4, 7.28)

Rangers: RHP Tommy Hunter (0-1, 3.86)

Watch for …

Kaz on track: In his most recent start, Kazmir made a successful return from the disabled list Saturday against the Marlins, with the two runs and four hits allowed being his fewest since April 24. Kazmir, who was on the DL to rehab a right quad strain and rework his mechanics, never has lost to the Rangers, going 4-0 in seven starts with a 2.09 ERA, his second-lowest ERA against any AL opponent.

On the spot: Hunter has made two spot starts this season, giving up a combined five runs. He is 0-3 with a 9.93 ERA in five starts at the major-league level in the past two seasons.

Key matchups

vs. Kazmir

Kinsler 2-for-13, HR

Young 2-for-13

Blalock 0-for-6

Murphy 1-for-6

Vs. hunter

Never has faced the Rays

On deck

Saturday: at Rangers, 8:05, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (2-2, 3.93); Rangers — Derek Holland (1-5, 6.20)

Sunday: at Rangers, 8:05, ESPN. Rays — Jeff Niemann (7-4, 3.95); Rangers — Scott Feldman (6-2, 4.09)

Monday: Off

Joe Smith, Times staff writer