The Tampa Bay Rays are back in the postseason for the second time in team history and will start their run against the Texas Rangers this afternoon in Game One of their American League Division Series matchup at Tropicana Field.

Game 1: Starting line-up

Texas, meanwhile, is back in the playoffs for the first time in 11 years after capturing its first American League West crown since 1999. It is only the fourth time that the Rangers are in the playoffs, but this will be their first meeting against a team other than the New York Yankees.

The Rangers have also lost nine straight postseason games, which is tied with the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs for the longest active skid in the major leagues.

"We know the past history, never winning in the playoffs, so we want to change that," said Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, who was the No. 1 overall pick of the Rays back in 1999. "It's the first step, obviously, get to the playoffs. That's a big step for us as an organization. We feel like we're moving in the right direction."

The Rangers spent the majority of the year atop their division, but became a serious threat for a World Series title when they acquired lefty Cliff Lee just before the All-Star break.

However, things turned sour for the Rangers in September when AL MVP candidate Hamilton went down with fractured ribs. He missed most of the final month before returning for the last weekend, but it will bear watching whether or not he is 100 percent.

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