Arlington, Texas ? The Texas Rangers are quickly altering how they’ve been viewed their entire existence.

Texas pitcher Cliff Lee, left, outfielder Nelson Cruz, center, and shortstop Elvis Andrus joke around during batting practice on Friday in Arlington, Texas.

They’re not just bashing, they’re getting timely hits. They’re not just cobbling together a pitching staff, they’ve got a rotation filled with solid starters. And defense is emphasized by their manager.

After using all of that in two impressive road victories in the division series against Tampa Bay, the Rangers are on the cusp of winning a postseason series for the first time in their 50-season history.

“All year we’ve tried to play baseball according to the way it’s been presented to us, which means you have to win all different ways,” said fourth-year manager Ron Washington said Friday. “But I think as we move forward and things continue to fall into place, I think people will start changing their minds and their perceptions of the Texas Rangers.”

The AL West champions play their first home playoff game in 11 years today needing only one more victory to clinch the best-of-five series. They are the only current major league team that has never won a postseason series.

Texas had won only one playoff game ever — in 39 seasons in Texas and 11 as the Washington Senators — before their two wins in Tampa this week.

“We had some different guys have big moments in those games,” said Michael Young, a six-time All-Star and the longest-tenured Ranger in his 10th season. “The common theme was pitching. If we keep pitching well, we’re going to find a way to win games.”

Left-handers Cliff Lee and C.J. Wilson won the first two games, when the Rays were limited to one run and eight hits while striking out 23 times. Colby Lewis starts Game 3 against Matt Garza.

If the Rays can win two games in Texas this weekend — Game 4, if needed, is Sunday afternoon — a series-deciding game would be Tuesday at Tropicana Field.