Two of the top three teams in the American League meet for the second series this season, but likely not the last. Both the AL West-leading Rangers and the Rays, who are atop the Wild Card standings, seem destined for the postseason.

Texas (8.5 game lead in the AL West) and Tampa Bay (five game lead in the Wild Card race) are in good standing and have the ball clubs to finish strong in August and September, but neither team has been playing like a playoff contender.

The Rangers are 3-4 in their last seven. The Rays have struggled even more, losing seven of their last 11. The teams meet Monday night at 7:05 p.m. ET at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay.

While the Rays are 4-7 in their last 11 and 0-5 in their last five games against a team with a winning record, they are 15-5 in their last 20 at home and 7-2 against Texas at home.

Lately the Rangers have been riding the hot bats of MVP candidate Josh Hamilton and David Murphy. The two have combined over the past two weeks for 16 runs, six home runs, 17 RBI and three stolen bases.

MLB Predictions: Pitching Matchup
Cliff Lee (LHP, 10-5, 2.57 ERA) vs. David Price (LHP, 15-5, 2.84 ERA)
Price’s 15 wins on the mound are a big reason why Tampa Bay is in pole position for the postseason. Lee is a big reason why the Rangers are considered the most dangerous team in the American League

Price has not faced Texas this season while two of Lee’s first four starts this year were against Tampa Bay. Lee lost both of them. Combined against Tampa, Lee pitched 16 innings allowing six earned runs on 15 hits. He is also coming off his shortest outing in his seven starts for Texas. Against the Yankees he lasted 6 1/3 innings surrendering four runs on eight hits.

Since joining Texas, Lee is 2-2 with a 2.97 ERA. Against Tampa Bay this season he is 0-2 with a 3.38 ERA.

Price has won his last three decisions and has already set the single-season club record for wins with 15. He has not lost a decision at home since May.

Rangers vs. Rays Betting Odds
In this even matchup the Rangers are slight favorites at -115 with Tampa Bay listed at -105. The total is one of the lowest of the years for both teams at seven with the ‘over’ priced at -115. Lines are courtesy of Sportsbook.com.

Rangers vs. Rays Betting Trends
Tampa Bay is 15-5 in its last 20 home games
Tampa Bay is 13-3 in its last 16 home games vs. a left-handed starter
Tampa Bay is 22-9 in its last 31 games vs. a left-handed starter
‘Under’ is 6-1 in Lee’s last seven starts overall
‘Under’ is 7-2 in Price’s last nine home starts

Rangers vs. Rays Betting Picks and Predictions
This game has all the makings of a pitcher’s duel. The total is a little too low to validate a play on the ‘under’ but the fact that this could be a low-scoring game favors Cliff Lee and the Rangers. When you bet on Lee you are generally getting him for the entire game or at least through eight innings. This is important in a pitcher’s duel as nobody likes to bet on an ace only to see him turn the ball over to a shaky bullpen in the seventh, eighth or ninth inning. Price has not got past the seventh inning in his last five starts. Lee has pitched eight innings or more in 10 of his last 11 starts. With Lee on the mound, the hot bats of Hamilton and Murphy should be able to produce enough off for Texas to come out on top.

Indian Cowboy is one of the hottest baseball handicappers in the nation and he has hit better than 60 percent since early May and has helped his $100 bettors earn more than $5,000 during that time for his baseball picks. IC has his first 6-Unit MLB Game of the Month going on Monday and he is very excited about this big MLB prediction. Also, check Doc’s Sports homepage each day for exclusive baseball betting articles, current baseball lines and matchup reports to as well!