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Rays-Rangers preview

 
Published Aug. 11, 2014

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Tonight-Thursday

What's new: The Rangers have the AL's worst record after losing 36 of 47. Injuries have been the major issue, with 1B Prince Fielder, INF Jurickson Profar and Ps Matt Harrison, Derek Holland, Alexi Ogando and Martin Perez among an MLB-most 12 players on the DL. 3B Adrian Beltre is having a good-not-great season, OF Shin-Soo Choo just okay. The rotation sports an AL-worst 5.06 ERA, and the bullpen has blown 13 saves in 35 tries.

Key stat: The Rangers have used a majors-most 55 players, 33 pitchers, 16 rookies.

Connections: Rangers C Robinson Chirinos is a former Ray, bench coach Tim Bogar was on the Rays staff, hitting coach Dave Magadan is a Tampa product, 1B coach Bengie Molina is the older brother of Rays C Jose Molina. Rays LHP Jeff Beliveau was acquired from the Rangers.

Series history: Rays lead 2-1 this season; Rangers lead 82-68 overall (and 6-3 in ALDS), 48-28 in Texas.

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer