The set-up: The Tampa Bay Rays took a five-game winning streak into their series' finale at Oakland on Wednesday and had passed the Yanks in the AL East. However, the Rays lost 7-2 to the A's in that one, before returning home for a six-game homestand. Up first were the Rangers for three games and Tampa has lost back-to-back 4-3 decisions and now find themselves tied with the Yankees for the AL's two wild card spots with both teams just one game ahead of the Twins and the Royals (Yanks and Rays trail the Red Sox by 3 1/2 games in the division). The Rangers rallied to win Friday's game and then came back from a three-run deficit Saturday to win by the same 4-3 score. The Rangers can now earn a three-game series sweep on Sunday, after entering the series on a five-game losing streak. Texas has no chance to catch the Astros in the AL West (trail by 18 games!) but are among the half-dozen or more teams still in the wild card chase (currently sit 3 1/2 games out).

The pitching matchup: Tyson Ross (2-2 & 7.22 ERA) heads to the mound Sunday afternoon to face Jake Odorizzi (6-4 & 4.37 ERA). Ross signed a one-year contract with the Rangers in January but didn't made his debut with the team until June 16, 2017. Ross had shoulder problems and began the year on the DL. He posted a 7.71 ERA over 18 2/3 innings in his four rehab starts but earned a victory in a 10-4 Texas win over the Mariners in that season debut (2 ERs allowed in 5 2/3 innings). However, it's been pretty much all downhill from there, as Ross was pounded on Tuesday in his first start after the All-Star break at Baltimore, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on seven hits over 3 1/3 innings. Ross has struggled with control in his first six starts of the season, recording 16 walks in 28 2/3 innings with 22 strikeouts (7.22 ERA!). Odorizzi produced his best start in two months after coming out of the All-Star break Monday at Oakland, permitting just a solo HR in seven strong innings in a 3-2 win. Home runs have been a problem for Odorizzi, as he has also allowed at least one HR in 14 straight appearances, the longest streak in team history.

The pick: Ross enters this game off a really ugly performance and is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in four career appearances (two starts 0-2 with an 11.58 ERA) against the Rays. Meanwhile, Odorizi is off an excellent start,bringing back memories of him going 7-1 with a 2.71 ERA in 14 starts after the All-Star break last season. More good news for Tampa fans is that Odorizzi is 4-0 with a 1.42 ERA in five career starts vs. the Rangers (team is 4-1). No sweep here. Make Tampa Bay a 10* play.