The New York Yankees are coming off a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the Baltimore Orioles and now host the AL West-leading Texas Rangers this weekend
Texas Rangers at New York Yankees
Texas claimed its first American League pennant after defeating New York in six games last fall and winning two of three at Yankee Stadium. The Rangers pitching was a major reason for the series victory, but the rotation will appear different during this three-game set. “It’s a challenge,” said manager Ron Washington. “We’re going to find out just how far along they are. I feel pretty good about them. If we go in there and the Yankees beat us, they beat us. It’s not because we’re tight or we couldn’t pitch in Yankee Stadium.” The club will be going with left-handers Matt Harrison and Derek Holland and right-hander Alexi Ogando in its first rematch with the Yankees since the ALCS. Texas is 4-0 in night games this year and 9-3 overall.
Rangers starting pitcher Matt Harrison wasn’t part of the postseason roster after going 3-2 with a 4.71 ERA in 37 games (six starts) last year, but he’s limited opponents to a .143 average so far. Harrison is 1-1 with a 7.53 ERA in five games (two starts) versus the Yankees, but has never pitched in the Bronx. “Pitching in a ballpark like that for the first time, with all the history, should be pretty special,” Harrison commented. “But you still have to make pitches.” The left-hander is a perfect 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA on the season, managing to strikeout 11 batters and issue just three free passes.
New York picked up a season-high third straight win and moved atop the AL East with a 6-5 extra innings win over Baltimore on Thursday. “Our guys kept kinda chippin’ away, but our team has the ability to do that,” said manager Joe Girardi. The Yankees will need a big series from third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who has gone 8 for 13 with two home runs and five RBIs over his last four games. In last year’s ALCS versus the Rangers, Rodriguez was 4 for 21 with just two RBIs. New York is 2-4 after a win this season and 131-84 in the situation the last three years.
Yankees starting pitcher Ivan Nova manage to last just 4 1/3 innings in his last start against the Red Sox, but it was a game the team ended up winning by a 9-4 count. The rookie right-hander is 1-0 with a 6.10 ERA in two starts this season, picking up a victory in his season debut against Minnesota at home. Nova has made six career appearances (five starts) at Yankee Stadium and compiled an even 1-1 mark and 4.50 ERA in the process.
Bettors will likely back the Yankees due to their 7-1 record in Nova’s last eight starts, while the Rangers are 2-6 in Harrison’s last eight starts versus a team with a winning record.
