The set-up: Texas took a nine-game winning streak into its three-city, 10-game trip which began back on May 19th. The Rangers ran the streak to 10 games with a 5-3 win in Detroit on that night but then lost six of their next eight games. The Rangers stopped a five-game losing streak Sunday with a 3-1 victory in Toronto Blue Jays, completing the trip at 3-6 (they have won just two of eight since that 10-game winning streak!). Texas is back in Arlington on Memorial Day to open an eight-game homestand with Tampa Bay. The Rays took two of three from the Twins over the weekend to improve to 8-3 on the road this month, as they get set to open this three-game series vs. Texas.

The pitching matchup: Erasmo Ramirez (3-0 & 2.92 ERA) gets the start for Tampa Bay and Martin Perez (2-5 & 3.77 ERA) for Texas.Ramirez has appeared in 15 games in 2017 but this marks juts his fourth start. He's 2-0 with a 2.76 ERA in those starts, with the Rays winning all three games. He just recently rejoined the rotation and has given up two runs in each of those two starts (both team wins). His numbers are excellent in 2017, with a 27-6 KW ratio in 37 innings of work (26 hits allowed), giving him an 0.86 WHIP. He is 0-1 with a 5.72 ERA in 11 career appearances (four starts / teams are 1-3) against Texas. Perez went 1-4 with a 4.26 ERA over six starts in April (team was 1-5) but has improved this month with a 1-1 record and 3.16 mark in four outings (team is 2-2), after permitting three runs and six hits over 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision at Boston on Wednesday. Like his counterpart, Perez has not pitched well against this opponent, going 0-2 with a 5.76 ERA in four starts (team is 1-3) versus the Rays.

The pick: I'm sure the Rangers are glad to be home but the team's positive mojo was lost on its road trip. Meanwhile, the Rays are playing well on the road lately (see above) and Ramirez has been an effective pitcher (starting and relieving). Make the Rays a 10* play.