Texas Rangers (36-33) at New York Yankees (38-28) Preview Series Finale

For the second consecutive game at Yankee Stadium, the Rangers lost 12-4. The game started off well for the Rangers

and I thought they actually had a chance but the Yankees offense is definitely in a groove with homers and steals. Thankfully,

seems to be getting his stride back – even with a stolen base, which was his 13th of the season! The 28-year-old didn’t strikeout once last night and ended up with two walks. In his three at-bats, he had two hits and two runs including one homer and one RBI. He took his batting average up six points and will look to do even more damage this afternoon. This is the best that he has looked this season since I can’t even remember when!

Here’s all the info for this afternoon’s final game of this set in New York – after the jump.

Pitching Matchups

The Yankees hand the ball over to RHP Brian Gordon. Gordon just opted out of his Minor League deal with the Philadelphia Phillies because the Yankees gave him a call and offered him a spot in their starting rotation. Gordon is a converted 10-year outfielder and was 5-0 with a 1.14 ERA for the Phillies’ AAA affiliate Leigh Valley. When he hits the mound this afternoon, it will be his fourth ever Major League appearance. Gordon is capable of throwing three different off-speed pitches including a slider, changeup and curveball.

The Rangers will counter with their ace LHP

. Wilson is 7-3 with an ERA of 3.09 this year. He has struck out 83 and walked 33 this season. Wilson will look to get his third straight win of the season this afternoon. In his last outing, Wilson allowed three runs on eight hits over seven pitched innings in which he earned the win with the team getting a 9-3 victory over Minnesota. His previous outing in Cleveland on June 5, Wilson pitched seven innings of three hits without allowing a single run and got the win. Against the Yankees, Wilson is 0-3 and two saves with a 4.12 ERA in 20 career appearances allowing 18 earned runs over 39.1 innings. He has three starts against New York in which he is 0-1 with a 5.65 ERA.

Pitchers vs. Hitters

RHP Brian Gordon: Gordon has never faced the Rangers.

LHP C.J. Wilson: Overall, the Yankees haven’t fared well against Wilson with a .175 batting average as a team. Nick Swisher is 6-for-20 with three doubles, one homer, six RBIs, four walks and six strikeouts. Robinson Cano is 4-for-14 with one double, two walks and one strikeout. Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira are a combined 7-for-39.

My Prediction

Despite C.J. being on the mound and the hitters not hitting well against the lefty, Yankees will likely win but maybe not nearly as much as they have been. They are trying to prove to the Rangers that last year’s ALCS was a one-time thing and it’s not going to happen again.

My only hope is that the Yankees don’t do as well during the day against the Rangers as they do at night and with a new pitcher on the mound with just four ML appearances, the Rangers can tear him up – but with his variety of pitches, it’ll be hard.