Rangers expect 'fun' series vs. AL-best Rays

The Texas Rangers apparently have a clear memory of their most recent series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

And the Rangers likely expect more of the same when the teams meet for the start of a four-game set on Thursday night in Arlington, Texas.

The Rays allowed only six runs to the Rangers while taking two of three games in St. Petersburg, Fla., from July 28-30.

Texas pitchers surrendered just seven runs in the series.

"They pitch and play defense first and foremost with some ways to beat you on the offensive side," Texas manager Skip Schumaker said of the American League-best Rays (83-56). "It should be a fun series, and I'm looking forward to seeing what it looks like (Thursday)."

Tampa Bay enters Thursday's game with the fewest walks allowed in the majors (345), helping them notch the best WHIP (1.14).

The Rays' bullpen also has the most saves (54) in MLB.

"They have really good starting pitching, a very good back-end bullpen," Schumaker said. "They have an MVP candidate at third base (Junior Caminero), and then they play some small ball with some speed. ... their run prevention is what makes them really good as well. They're flying around the outfield and catching everything. So their record is their record for a reason."

Right-hander Cal Quantrill is scheduled to start for the Rangers (69-71) on Thursday. Quantrill (6-5, 3.01 ERA) returned to the rotation after Nathan Eovaldi went on the injured list Aug. 10 and did not allow a run in his first two starts.

He wasn't as strong his last time out, allowing three runs and four hits in six innings and taking the loss in a 5-3 defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.

Quantrill has done well against Tampa Bay in his career, going 3-0 in six starts with a 2.14 ERA. He beat the Rays 4-1 on July 28 after limiting them to one run and two hits in 5 1/3 innings.

The Rays plan to start left-hander Shane McClanahan on Thursday. McClanahan (10-6, 3.19 ERA) wasn't at his best in his last outing but was credited with the win after allowing four runs (three earned) and three hits in 5 2/3 innings in a 9-4 victory against the San Diego Padres on Friday.

McClanahan has made three starts against the Rangers in his career and is 1-0 in those games, with a 3.38 ERA. He faced them July 30 and departed two batters into the fourth inning after experiencing back tightness in his team's 3-2 victory.

The Rays welcomed back right-hander Griffin Jax for their series finale on Wednesday evening against the visiting New York Mets.

Jax, who had not pitched since Aug. 2 because of elbow discomfort, was knocked out after 2 2/3 innings. He was tagged for six runs, but only three were earned, and seven hits in a 10-4 loss.

Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said Jax's return won't have an immediate impact on the rotation.

"Right now, I think we're just going to stay in turn," Cash said. "I know we have an off day coming up after the Texas series, and we'll have constant conversations. Nothing has been decided so far."