Previewing The Yankees At The Rangers

Jul 23, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish (11) pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of Darvish, he gets the nod for the Rangers tonight to open against the Yankees. As previously mentioned, Darvish was the hard-luck loser in the rain-shortened game last week in the Bronx. He was on the short-end of the 2-1, ball game, when the rain and the ground crew’s inability to get the tarp on the field because of strong winds, ruined the field.

Managers Ron Washington and Joe Girardi, after a 1 hour and 49 minute rain delay, walked the field together, and were in complete agreement that a knee or hamstring injury simply were not worth trying to continue the game. Darvish, who was warming up in the bullpen for an expected return, was attempting to win his 10th game of the season. For he and the Rangers, they are looking for revenge, and after struggling heading into the All-Star break, Darvish looked like his masterful self his last time out against the Yankees.

Opposing Darvish, is David Phelps, who just continues to get stronger with each start gained under his belt. The former reliever got the “complete game” win, the first of his career in the 5-inning rain game last week. He and Darvish will face-off once again, but this time, in the sweltering heat of Texas, where baseballs tend to take good flight in the jet stream.