Nick Martinez (3-0, 1.88 ERA) starts for the Texas Rangers (19-23) as they square off against CC Sabathia (2-5, 4.67 ERA) and the New York Yankees (22-20) in the second of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium. The Rangers won the last game 10-9 and Texas leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 1:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 23 and can be seen on FSN-SW, PIX11 and MLB Net.
Sabathia is 11-3 with a 4.45 ERA in his appearances against the Rangers, and goes up against a below-average Texas offense which is batting just .239 this season. Mark Teixeira (.250, 21 Rs, 13 HRs, 31 RBIs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. When pitching against the Yankees, Martinez is 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and five strikeouts. Prince Fielder (.341, 17 Rs, 7 HRs, 27 RBIs) has been successful at the plate for the Rangers, going 2 for 5 yesterday with two runs, two home runs, and four RBIs.
New York is a -166 favorite against Texas and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Yankees have an overall money line of +257 and a record as the favorite of 11-8. The Yankees are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 134. Crossing over to the pitching staff, opposing offenses have been stifled by the Yankees, who have a team ERA of only 3.67. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Yankees, who rank second in the AL in strikeouts per game with 8.6.
In games where it is the underdog, Texas has a 17-20 record and an overall money line of +97.
The Rangers have the edge in the season series, 1-0. The Yankees have a 16-13 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Martinez takes the mound. Sabathia (LHP) will be on the hill against the Rangers, who have a inferior 5-9 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYY, O/U – Over
Notes
New York recorded at least two errors for the eighth time this season.
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 meeting after a high-scoring game where they scored an impressive 10 runs. The Yankees have a 0-2 record when opponents score that many runs or more.
When they are outhit, the Rangers are 4-18. The Yankees have a 4-14 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking ninth in home runs, Texas has hit 43 this season. New York ranks fourth with 50 home runs.
Ranking 12th, Texas is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.05 per game. New York ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 8.32.
Ranking 17th, Texas is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.701). New York ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .727.
When the Rangers allow at least one home run, they are 8-19. When the Yankees allow one or more homers, they have a 12-14 record.
