Yanks vs. Rangers Series Preview

Yankees - Rangers

@ Yankee Stadium
(3 games)

After splitting the four games with the Mets over the weekend, the Yankees open up a very important nine-game homestand with the Texas Rangers.

This is the first time these two teams will meet this season. Last year the Yankees took five of the six games between the two teams.

The Yankees come into the series with a 44-38 record, 5.5 games behind the first place Rays in the AL East, and 5 games behind the Red Sox in the race for the Wild Card.

Texas is one of the better offensive teams in the league. They lead the league in runs (456), hits (821), RBI (437), total bases (1344), doubles (183), slugging (.458), and OPS (.807). Pitching, on the other hand, is not their strong suit. They have the second worst team ERA in baseball at 4.89, and their staff has allowed the most runs in the league (467), and walked the most batters (340).

The Rangers are currently 42-41 and 7.5 games behind the first place Angels in the AL West.

MATCHUPS

Game 1 - Today @ 7:05 p.m.
TV: YES; Radio: WCBS 880
Mike Mussina RHP (10-5, 3.93) vs. Scott Feldman RHP (1-3, 4.60)

Game 2 - Tomorrow @ 7:05 p.m.
TV: YES; Radio: WCBS 880
Joba Chamberlain RHP (2-2, 2.03) vs. Kevin Millwood RHP (5-4, 5.08)

Game 3 - Wednesday @ 7:05 p.m.
TV: YES; Radio: WCBS 880
Sidney Ponson RHP (5-1, 3.50) vs. Luis Mendoza RHP (1-2, 5.40)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Yankees - Robinson Cano: Cano's .244 is nothing to smile about, but he has hit a lot better since April. His batting average for May was .295, and for June it's .296. Over his last seven games he's been on a tear hitting .455 with 2 HR, 7 RBI and 2 doubles.

In his career against the Rangers Cano is a .314 hitter, with 1 HR, 15 RBI, and an OPS of .775.

Cano vs. Feldman: NR
Cano vs. Millwood: .400 (4-for-10), RBI, .800 OPS
Cano vs. Mendoza: NR

Rangers - Josh Hamilton: A legitimate triple crown candidate, Hamilton is hitting .312 (10th in AL) with 19 HR (leads AL), 72 RBI (leads AL), and an OPS of .927. Last season he his .292, with 19 HR, and 47 RBI in 90 games for the Cincinnati Reds. The Rangers acquired him from the Reds in the offseason for pitcher Edinson Volquez.

This will be his first visit to Yankee Stadium, and the first time he faces any of the Yankees' pitchers.

INJURY REPORT

Yankees:
- Chien-Ming Wang is out till at least September with a mid-foot tearing of the Lisfranc ligament and a partial tear of the peroneal longus tendon.
- Phil Hughes is out till at least August with a stress fracture of the rib.
- Brian Bruney is out with an injured foot, but could return after the All Star break.
- Jonathan Albaladejo is out for the year with a stress fracture in his right elbow.
- Chris Britton is on the 15-day DL with a pulled right ribcage.
- Hideki Matsui is on the 15-day DL with an inflamed left knee.
- Johnny Damon is suffering from an arch problem in his foot and is day-to-day.

Rangers:
- Hank Blalock is on the DL recovering from surgery on his wrist. He should be back after the All Star break.
- Kason Gabbard 15-day DL with left elbow inflammation.
- Gerald Laird is on the 15-day DL with a hamstring injury.