New York Yankees vs. Texas Rangers Preview
Where: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, TX
When: Friday, September 8, 2017, 8:05 PM ET
Line: New York Yankees at Texas Rangers – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: YES, FSSW, MLB Network
Betting on the New York Yankees (75-64)
Thursday marked another dominant win for the New York Yankees, who routed the Baltimore Orioles, 9-1, to create even more cushion to their 2.5-game lead atop the AL wild card standings.
Four players went yard in Thursday’s game, exhibiting that New York’s power has yet to flame out. Standout rookie Aaron Judge was one of those guys who knocked one out of the park, giving him his AL-best 39th home run of the season.
In turn, the Yankees are 5-2 over their last seven games after averaging 6.1 runs scored per contest. Although they’ve lost four of their last five games in Arlington dating back to 2015, the Bronx Bombers should be able to maintain solid run production on Friday.
Having Masahiro Tanaka (11-10, 4.54 ERA) take the mound in the series opener should give the Yanks a little more breathing room as well. Since coming off the disabled list, the Japanese veteran has reeled off three-straight winning decisions and has a 2.14 ERA along with 17 strikeouts in 21 total innings of work during that span.
Betting on the Texas Rangers (70-69)
A disappointing 5-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves denied the Texas Rangers of a series sweep over a middling foe from the National League.
On the bright side, the Rangers are still just 2.5 games behind the final wild card spot in the AL and have won their last three series against the likes of the Braves and two division rivals: the Angels and the Astros. They went 6-3 against those three teams by way of terrific scoring production seemingly more potent than the Yankees’ own, averaging 7.3 runs scored during that nine-game stretch.
Look for rightfielder Nomar Mazara to keep his sizzling bat going. Mazara hit a two-run blast in Wednesday’s game to give him three homers in as many contests.
Unfortunately, Martin Perez (11-10, 4.87 ERA) has been penciled-in to start Friday’s game against New York. The Venezuelan lefty has actually struggled at home more so than on the road, having a 5.24 ERA in 16 starts at Globe Life Park. Facing the Yankees may also be a problem, as Perez has surrendered 10 earned runs in just two career starts against versus the Yanks.
Writer’s Prediction
The Yankees emerge victorious from a high-scoring affair, 8-6.
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