Series Preview: Texas Rangers (67-46) @ New York Yankees (67-47)

After winning the final two games against the Tigers, the Texas Rangers go to New York to face the AL East-leading New York Yankees without ace C.C Sabathia. The Yankees are only one half game behind the Rangers for the best record in the American League and this very well could be an ALCS preview.

In a four game series, both teams have winnable games. I think a split is a likely outcome but I do give the Rangers a slight edge as long as the offense continues to come out to play.

This is a good time for the Rangers to make a statement that they are the team to beat in the AL.

Series at a Glance

Texas Record: 67-46 (1st AL West)
New York Record: 67-47 (1st AL East)

Season Series: 2-1 Texas
Record at New York: 0-0

Notable Transaction: February 16, 2004: The Texas Rangers traded Alex Rodriguez and cash to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later and Alfonso Soriano. The New York Yankees sent Joaquin Arias (April 23, 2004) to the Texas Rangers to complete the trade.

Probable Starters:

Monday 6:05 CDT TEX: RHP Ryan Dempster (6-5, 2.65 ERA/3.63 FIP) – NYY: RHP David Phelps (2-3, 2.42 ERA/3.71 FIP)

Tuesday 6:05 CDT TEX: LHP Matt Harrison (13-6, 3.31 ERA/3.85 FIP) – NYY: RHP Hiroki Kuroda (10-8, 3.24 ERA/3.77 FIP)

Wednesday 6:05 CDT TEX: RHP Scott Feldman (6-7, 4.64 ERA/4.02 FIP) – NYY: RHP Freddy Garcia (6-5, 4.85 ERA/4.12 FIP)

Thursday 12:05 CDT TEX: LHP Derek Holland (7-6, 4.92 ERA/4.91 FIP) – NYY: RHP Ivan Nova (11-6, 4.70 ERA/4.40 FIP)

Projected Yankees Lineup

1 SS Derek Jeter
2 RF Nick Swisher (B)
3 2B Robinson Cano (L)
4 1B Mark Teixeira (B)
5 3B Eric Chavez (L) vs RHP
6 CF Curtis Granderson (L)
7 DH Raul Ibanez (L) vs RHP
8 LF Ichiro Suzuki (L)
9 C Russell Martin

Bench
C Chris Stewart
1B/3B Casey McGehee
IF/OF Jayson Nix vs LHP
OF Andruw Jones vs LHP

Bullpen
CL RHP Rafael Soriano
SU RHP David Robertson
SU LHP Boone Logan
MID RHP Joba Chamberlain
MID LHP Clay Rapada
MID RHP Cody Eppley
LR RHP Derek Lowe

(source MLBDepthCharts)

For more information on the Yankees see FanSided’s Yankees page, Yanks Go Yard.