Rays vs. Rangers: ALDS TV Schedule, Live Stream, Game Time and Pitching Matchups

The Tampa Bay Rays did the unthinkable in coming back to win the Wild Card spot, and now they will prepare for a five-game series against the AL West champs—the Texas Rangers. 

The Rays are playing some great baseball right now, and the momentum they have had over the past few weeks will carry over into this series. 

The Rangers have a lot of power and can hit the ball very well, but the Rays are right there with them. 

With that, let's take a look a some specifics about this ALDS showdown. 

When:

 Game 1: Friday Sept. 30, 5:07 p.m.

Game 2: Saturday Oct. 1

Game 3: Monday, Oct. 3

Game 4 if needed: Tuesday Oct. 4

Game 5 if needed: Thursday, Oct. 6

Where:

 Games 1 and 2 are in Texas

Games 3 and 4 are in Tampa Bay

Game 5 is back at Texas

Watch: 

All games are on TBS, or online at MLB.com (you must pay for this subscription, however). 

Pitching Matchups 

Game 1: Matt Moore vs. C.J. Wilson

Game 2-5: TBD

Wilson has done a great job stepping up as the Rangers ace this year. Cliff Lee was the ace a year ago, and while Wilson isn't close to Lee, he has some dominating stuff and very good command of it.

Wilson finished the year with a 16-7 record, 2.93 ERA and 206 strikeouts. The Rangers need a strong performance from him Friday night to quiet the red-hot Rays. 

A late change, the Rays have decided to pitch rookie Matt Moore for Game 1. Prior to this game, Moore has only made one big league start. If it pays off then Joe Maddon will look like a genius, but it could come back to haunt them. 

Key Injuries

Rays starter Jeff Niemann is questionable for the postseason with a back injury he suffered not too long ago. Niemann is No. 4 on the Rays' starting rotation depth chart, and he's had a decent season this year. 

The Rangers have a number of pitchers out for the year, but relief pitcher Mark Lowe could be back for Texas by the ALCS, if they make it there that is.

Tampa Bay Players to Watch 

Evan Longoria has been a great leader for this team, and he is the guy who has to continue to deliver this series. The third baseman is the top player on the team, and he has consistently stepped up when they needed him the most. Will it continue? 

Another Rays player to keep an eye on is David Price. The Rays ace had a rough outing on Wednesday night against the Yankees, giving up five runs in just four innings. The Rays need him to bounce back as he will more than likely pitch Game 3.

Texas Players to Watch

 C.J. Wilson has to do his best in Game 1 to slow down the red-hot Rays. The Rangers need their ace to get a win in Game 1 to start the series off right. Texas simply can't afford to lose at home.

Another Texas player to watch is Michael Young. The designated hitter is hitting over .400 over the course of the last week, and he leads the Rangers in batting average, RBI, hits and on-base percentage.

Key Storyline 

 Will the Rays continue to dominate? Tampa Bay climbed out of a cavernous hole to win the Wild Card race over the Boston Red Sox, and there is no denying they have been on a scintillating hot streak of late.

The Rangers are third in the league in runs scored and first in batting average. They're going to put up a lot of runs on the Rays, which means Tampa Bay needs to hit well every night.

Prediction

 The Rays will make it interesting, but in the end they will falter. With Young, Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler and Adrian Beltre, the Rangers are going to be too tough to stop.

Texas Rangers win 3-2.