Rangers at Rays preview ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Interstat) — The Tampa Bay Rays (62-44) host the Texas Rangers (55-52) on Thursday afternoon at George Steinbrenner Field, with the first pitch set for under partly cloudy skies and 86-degree heat. The Rays enter the series finale having split the first two games. Tampa Bay blanked Texas 3-0 on Wednesday after the Rangers won 4-1 on Tuesday. The Rays hold a seven-game lead over the Rangers in the American League standings. Right-hander Cal Quantrill takes the mound for Texas. Quantrill (7-6) earned a win against the Rays on Tuesday, allowing one earned run on two hits over 5.1 innings with seven strikeouts. He has been inconsistent this month, posting a 2-3 record in five July starts with a 6.18 ERA. The 28-year-old was tagged for six earned runs in four innings at Atlanta on July 17 but rebounded with a quality start against Houston on July 10, allowing one run over six innings. Right-hander Griffin Jax counters for Tampa Bay. Jax (8-5) matched Quantrill closely Tuesday, surrendering one earned run on five hits over 5.2 innings while striking out 10 in a losing effort. Jax has been durable this month, going at least five innings in each of his five July starts. He gave up seven earned runs in five innings at Boston on July 17 but has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his past four outings. The game projects as a tight contest. Interstat’s game simulator forecasts a 7-6 Rays victory, though Texas has been installed as a -1.5 favorite. The over/under is set at 7.5 runs. Texas (55-52) comes off a 3-0 shutout loss Wednesday. The Rangers have won four of their past six games, taking three of four from Seattle before splitting the two games in Tampa Bay. After Thursday, Texas travels to Houston for a three-game weekend series against the Astros. Tampa Bay (62-44) dropped to 2-1 on its homestand after Wednesday’s victory. The Rays have won seven of their past 10 games, including a three-game sweep of Cleveland last weekend. Following Thursday’s game, Tampa Bay hosts the Chicago White Sox for a three-game series beginning Friday. For Texas, shortstop Corey Seager and third baseman Josh Jung will need to produce against Jax’s mix of fastballs and sliders. For Tampa Bay, third baseman Junior Caminero was 2-for-4 with an RBI on Tuesday and will look to continue his production against Quantrill. The series finale marks the last matchup between the clubs this regular season.