After a tough and controversial loss in the series opener last night, the New York Yankees will look to bounce back in game two of four against the Texas Rangers.
In a game that featured a three hour, 35 minute rain delay in the ninth inning and ultimately a heartbreaking loss, the New York Yankees fell back below .500 and eight games off the pace in the American League East.On the other hand, it was an uplifting win for the AL’s best team. The Texas Rangers won their third straight, have won eight of 10, and sit 23 games above .500 with a 10 game advantage in the AL West.
What was nearly a promising win for the Yanks turned into one they can only sit back and wonder “what if”. What if the game had not started 20 minutes late for no reason. What if the game had been called, resulting in a win. What if a torrential downpour had held off just 30 minutes longer.
All wishing aside, Joe Girardi’s team is simply going to have to bounce back in the second game of this challenging set.
Pitching Matchup
The Yanks will send CC Sabathia (5-4, 2.71) to the hill as they look to stop the bleeding in timely fashion. Prior to his last start, the big left-hander was on a run that featured him pitching to a superb 0.82 ERA since the start of May. However, he surrendered five earned runs over four and a third innings to Colorado his last time out.
CC will look to right the ship for both himself and the Bombers as he takes the ball tonight.
Opposing him will be Texas ace Cole Hamels (8-1, 2.79 ERA). He has been everything the Rangers could have hoped for and more. A workhorse, a stopper; you name it. Over his last seven starts he has pitched to an outstanding 2.47 ERA and has proven once again that he is one of the best southpaws the game has to offer.
A matchup of quality left-handed pitching is what tonight has in store from the get-go.
Lineups
.@ColeHamels gets the ⚾️ tonight for game 2 with the Yankees. https://t.co/KaSuNnPp2P #LetsGoRangers pic.twitter.com/80QksrP1LG
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) June 28, 2016
.@CC_Sabathia leads #Yankees in Game 2 of 4-game set vs. Rangers at 7:05 ET. https://t.co/zo6JTjpehl #LetsGoYankees pic.twitter.com/SUhefu9X0N
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 28, 2016
Players To Watch
- Keep a close eye on Alex Rodriguez, who has become an enormous storyline ever since being benched for the second straight game last night. In the lineup against a left-hander, it will be pivotal A-Rod to have a big night in order to receive more at-bats in the coming games. A big game can also mean increased utilization of a platoon. Things can go in various directions for the 40-year-old slugger who is signed through 2017.
- Mark Teixeira homered for a second straight day in last night’s ballgame. He is 4-11 since returning from the DL and appears to be regaining form. The 36-year-old is featuring increased topspin that he lacked out of the gates. His recent upturn could play well for him considering that he is 7-20 (.350) lifetime against Cole Hamels with a couple of homers and six runs batted in.
- Elvis Andrus is putting together a stellar campaign for the Rangers as he comes into tonight batting at a .288 clip. The 27-year-old shortstop is 11-25 (.440) lifetime against CC Sabathia with five RBIs.
Bold Prediction
Alex Rodriguez goes yard twice against Cole Hamels and CC goes six strong innings as the Yankees defeat the Rangers 4-2 to get back to .500.
