Yankees Visit Rangers as They Begin Stretch Run
As the last month of the time starts off, the New York Yankees wind up in somewhat of a tough situation, having lost four of their last five games. With a thin half-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles for the best position in the American league East, the Yankees are hoping to recover their balance as they start a significant six-game excursion. The excursion begins on Monday with a three-game series against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas.
Yankees Hoping to Bounce back
Notwithstanding the new pallet, the Yankees (79-58) stay hopeful. Beginning pitcher Nestor Cortes, who took the hill in Sunday’s 14-7 misfortune to the St. Louis Cardinals, accentuated that the group actually controls its predetermination.
“As bad as people think we are playing … we are still in first place,” Cortes said. “It’s there for us to take. We just have to come out every day prepared and be ready to win every single day.”
The Yankees’ pitching staff struggled mightily in the loss to the Cardinals. Cortes lasted just four innings, giving up five runs on nine hits. The bullpen didn’t fare much better, surrendering the remaining nine runs, including five in a disastrous seventh inning that started with the score tied at 7-7.
To open the series against Texas, the Yankees will turn to veteran right-hander Gerrit Cole (5-3, 3.86 ERA). Cole has been a steady presence in the rotation, having thrown at least five innings in each of his last eight starts. In August, Cole was particularly sharp, holding opponents to three runs on 17 hits across four starts. However, he gave up three runs on six hits in his most recent outing, a 4-2 loss to the Washington Nationals last Tuesday.
Cole has a solid track record against the Rangers, with a 6-4 record and a 3.74 ERA in 16 career starts against them.
Yankees’ Urgency Against Non-Playoff Teams
The Yankees have battled as of late against groups outside the season finisher picture, losing three of their last four series against such adversaries. With Texas likewise out of season finisher dispute, New York knows the significance of getting it done in this series.
“We know how important these games are,” manager Aaron Boone said. “We have to play our best, and we have to put our best foot forward to win these games. And we hope we start that (Monday) night.”
The Yankees received a boost on Sunday with the return of first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who had been sidelined since June 18 with a forearm fracture. Rizzo made an immediate impact, going 2-for-4 with an RBI double and scoring twice.
Rangers Riding High After Walk-Off Wins
The Texas Rangers (65-72) enter the series with some force, falling off a 6-4 stroll off win against the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. Josh Jung conveyed the game-dominating three-run homer in the tenth inning, giving the Rangers their fifth success in their last six games. It was additionally their second successive stroll off triumph and their eighth of the time.
“I think winning and having fun are kind of intertwined a little bit,” Jung said after the game. “So yeah, we’re having a good time. That was a really fun moment for me today. I was jumping up and down. I think when you start winning more games, fun comes with it.”
Corey Seager has been a key part of the Rangers’ recent success, particularly in August, when he belted 11 home runs, tying for the second-most in the majors for the month, just one behind Yankees slugger Aaron Judge.
“It’s just impressive,” pitcher Nathan Eovaldi said of Seager last week. “We’re so grateful just to be able to watch him play every day and everything that he does on a day-in, day-out basis.”
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Pitching Matchup
While the Rangers haven’t authoritatively affirmed their starter for Monday’s down, it is normal that left-hander Andrew Heaney (4-13, 3.95 ERA) will take the hill. Heaney has battled against the Yankees in his vocation, with a 1-4 record and a 5.35 ERA in seven beginnings against them.
Series Outlook
As the Yankees set out on this excursion, they’ll be hoping to shake off their new battles and cement their situation on the AL East. In the interim, the Rangers, energized by their new stroll off triumphs, will plan to play spoiler and proceed with their triumphant ways. With Gerrit Cole on the hill and Anthony Rizzo back in the setup, New York desires to begin this basic series with an optimistic outlook.