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Rays-Rangers Preview

Jun 4, 2010 - 4:38 AM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Tampa Bay (36-18) at Texas (28-24), 8:05 p.m. EDT

After having plenty of problems last season against the Texas Rangers, the Tampa Bay Rays are expecting an even tougher time in 2010.

The Rays and Rangers begin their season series Friday night at the Ballpark in Arlington in a matchup of division leaders.

Tampa Bay (36-18) went 3-6 against Texas (28-25) last year, including 1-5 on the road. The Rangers won 87 games in 2009, and Rays manager Joe Maddon believes they are much improved.

"They got better," Maddon told MLB.com. "They've really pitched well against us. I think they're pitching substantially better. And you've got Vladimir (Guerrero) playing like he did a couple of years ago right now. And that's definitely going to make them a better ballclub."

Guerrero could be back in the lineup after missing his second straight game due to getting hit in the face with a ball during batting practice before Wednesday's 9-5 road win over the Chicago White Sox. There is significant swelling around his left eye, but the slugger hopes to be ready.

"It feels good," Guerrero told the Rangers' official website. "It's less swollen. I'm going to go out and try to play (Friday)."

Guerrero is leading the team in batting average (.335), homers (12) and RBIs (44).

Texas starters went 5-0 with a 2.68 ERA at home against Tampa Bay last season, and Maddon believes shortstop Elvis Andrus' defense was a big reason why.

"Their shortstop makes them a different team," Maddon said. "So I think they beat us primarily with pitching and defense."

While Texas' 18-9 home record is tied for the second-best mark in the AL, Tampa Bay is a major league-best 21-6 on the road.

The Rangers fell 4-3 to the White Sox on Thursday, failing to complete a three-game sweep. Ian Kinsler, Josh Hamilton and David Murphy combined for 12 hitless at-bats.

The Rays had Thursday off after rallying from ninth-inning deficits to win the final two games of a series in Toronto. Carl Crawford hit a grand slam in a six-run ninth in Wednesday's 7-3 victory.

"It says a lot about this team, how we fight to the end," Crawford said. "We've been preaching that since spring training, play hard all nine innings and see what happens."

Former Rangers third baseman Hank Blalock will make his return to Arlington. Blalock spent eight seasons with Texas, and was not brought back before he signed with the Rays in March.

The Rays will get their first look at left-hander C.J. Wilson (3-3, 3.48 ERA) as a starter. The converted reliever has posted a 1.35 ERA against Tampa Bay in 13 appearances out of the bullpen.

Wilson is 0-2 with a 9.56 ERA in his last three outings. He has lost two straight after giving up five runs in six-plus innings Saturday in an 8-3 loss at Minnesota.

Texas will face Tampa Bay starter Wade Davis (5-4, 4.04) for the first time. Davis gave up three runs over 6 1-3 innings to earn an 8-5 win over the White Sox on Saturday.

The right-hander is 2-1 with a 2.49 ERA in four road starts.