This afternoon Zach Eflin gets a chance to live up to the big money deal he signed in the offseason as one of the lone remaining starters standing in the Rays’ rotation. He pitched well in the postseason for the Phillies a season ago and has the edge of the Rangers’ hitters not being overly familiar with his stuff. TB only had 6 hits yesterday and comitted 4 errors. Tampa was very good at home this season and also after getting shutout. They were 53-28 on their home field and I expect them to bounce back this afternoon.

The Rangers Nathan Eovaldi was a stabilizing force for the Rangers this season but he came apart down the stretch going just 1-2 with a 9.30 ERA with 13 walks and 21 strikeouts while allowing seven homers in 20 innings pitched. I give a big advantage to Tampa here to even up the series on Wednesday.