Runs may be hard to come by in this one as Michael Pineda (5-1, 3.31 ERA) and the New York Yankees (22-19) go up against Colby Lewis (3-2, 3.06 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (18-23) in the first of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday, May. 22 and will air on FSN-SW, YES and MLB Network.
Pineda has a 4.74 ERA and a 0-2 record in his career against the Rangers, but faces a struggling Texas offense that’s hitting just .237 on the year. Brett Gardner (.290, 26 Rs, 3 HRs, 16 RBIs, 10 SBs) went 1 for 4 Wednesday with one run. In his career against the Yankees, Lewis is 1-3 with a 5.28 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and 16 strikeouts.
New York is a considerable -183 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is seven runs. The Yankees are 11-8 as the favorite and have an overall money line of +257. The Yankees are a dangerous hitting team with 128 extra base hits, one of the highest totals in the MLB. New York’s pitching staff can be considered one of the best in the AL. The Yankees have a team ERA of 3.67, one of the lowest in their league. The have been extremely effective at striking opposing batters out, averaging 8.6 strikeouts per game.
Moving on to the away team, the Rangers come into this game with a win percentage of .444 when playing as the underdog (16-20) and an overall money line of -70.
This game will feature Lewis (RHP) on the mound against the Yankees, who have a 16-13 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The right-handed Pineda will take the mound against the Rangers, who have a 12-14 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYY, O/U – Over
Notes
The Rangers are 2-2 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Yankees are 0-3 in such matchups.
The Rangers are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Yankees have a 7-10 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Rangers are 4-18. The Yankees have a 4-14 record when opponents outhit them.
Texas ranks in the top half of the league at 11th when it comes to home runs, hitting 40 this season. New York ranks in the top five at fifth with 47.
Ranking 11th, Texas is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.08 per game. New York ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 8.32.
Ranking 22nd, Texas is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.694). New York ranks in the top half at 12th with an OPS of .720.
When the Rangers allow at least one home run, they are 7-19. When the Yankees allow one or more homers, they have a 12-13 record.
