American League Playoff Preview – Texas Rangers vs New York Yankees
by Alex Lowe
One of the hottest teams in baseball, the Texas Rangers, will face a true test tonight of their strength as the take on the New York Yankees at Ameriquest Field in Arlington in a playoff preview of the American League.
CJ Wilson will take the mound against AJ Burnett in the first of a two-game series between two teams with high playoff hopes in the American League.
MLB Betting Odds:
New York Yankees (AJ Burnett) Runline: +1 ½ -165 Moneyline: +115
Texas Rangers (CJ Wilson) Runline: -1 ½ + 125 Moneyline: -135
As both teams currently lead their respective divisions, this match-up presents necessary wins for the Yankees, while the Rangers look to put even more distance between them and their division opponents.
The Yankees have retaken the lead in the American League East, thanks to a bit of slump by Tampa Bay, and now sit a game and a half ahead. The Texas Rangers, on the other hand, enjoy a comfortable eight-game lead over the Oakland Athletics in the American League West.
The view from the pitching report looks as if this game may be decided more on the defensive front, as neither pitcher is dominant and both are evenly matched. Wilson comes into this game with a season record of 10-5 and a current ERA of 3.30.
He has won three of his last four outings with solid pitching, although he got tripped up his last time out against the Seattle Mariners, in a game where he lasted only three innings. But Wilson’s now well-rested and ready to face the NY Yankees, a team against which he has never gotten the W.
Burnett has struggling mightily over the season, but hopes to get a solid victory against Texas, as he has been improving in his last outings, notching two wins out of his last three. However, with a season record of 9-9, putting him at .500 for the season, and an ERA of 4.93, the Yankees must be ready to call upon their bullpen early.
Burnett was scheduled to start last Sunday but was replaced by Dustin Moseley after suffering back spasms, but reports show that he is ready for action today.
The Yankees have enjoyed remarkable success in Arlington over the years, as they hold a 15-4 record there. Also, the Yankees bats are hot, as Mark Teixeira bit his 26th home run yesterday and A-Rod has recently joined the elites of the 600-homer club.
But don’t overlook the passion factor, as the Rangers are on track for their first playoff berth since 1999. Back in April, the Yankees swept the Rangers in a three-game series at Yankee Stadium. The Rangers though have bounced back, played solid baseball, and now have their eyes on the prize of the postseason. I would count on the Rangers to get the victory at home tonight.
MLB Free Pick: Take the Rangers!
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