Yanks Go Yard Radio Rewind: Rangers-Yankees Preview (5/22-5/24)

By Ricky Keeler | May 22, 2015

On last night’s episode of the Yanks Go Yard Radio Show, brought to you by KNODA.com, I started the episode by talking about the New York Yankees (22-19) losing both games to the Washington Nationals at Nats Park. New York had a chance to win both games, but Nathan Eovaldi could not hold a four run lead on Tuesday and Adam Warren walked four guys and did not get any run support other than the first inning on Wednesday. Now, the New York Yankees head home after a 2-7 road trip and without leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury, who is on the 15-day DL due to a right knee sprain.

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Thursday night was a day off for the Yankees, but there were some great things going on in the minor leagues. Masahiro Tanaka made his first rehab start at triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre and gave up no runs on two hits over three innings. He struck out two batters on 42 pitches. Then, in double-A, Luis Severino made his return to the rotation and threw five hitless innings against the Bowie Bay Sox (Baltimore Orioles) and Dylan Bundy.

The New York Yankees will be taking on the Texas Rangers (18-23) at Yankee Stadium. The Rangers are coming in to the Bronx with good momentum after taking the last two games of their three game series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. This month, the Rangers have scored 91 runs, which is fourth in the American League and have hit 27 home runs, which is second in the AL behind the surprising Houston Astros (33).

One of the main reasons for this offensive success is Prince Fielder. Fielder, who is finally healthy for first year manager Jeff Bannister, is hitting .340 with five home runs, 23 RBI’s, and a on-base percentage of .397. Of course, Texas still has quality hitters in Adrian Beltre and Shin Soo-Choo, but another former Ranger could be joining the team soon.

Josh Hamilton, who was traded back to the Rangers from the Angels on April 28, is close to returning to the major league. He is finishing up his rehab this weekend at triple-A Round Rock and could return to the team on Monday when they begin a series in Cleveland.

As for the starting rotation, even without Yu Darvish, Derek Holland, and Matt Harrison, Texas is fourth in baseball in starters ERA. However, their bullpen has blown eight saves and has the second worst ERA in the American League (4.39), ahead of only the Oakland Athletics.

To talk more about Hamilton and the Rangers, I spoke with Dave Hill, the administrator of Nolan Writin to help preview this three game series. Here are some of the topics that we discussed:

Fielder helping to surge the Rangers lineup
What are the tendencies of first-year manager Jeff Bannister?
Expectations for Hamilton?
Pitching Matchups Breakdown
Could Colby Lewis (tonight’s Texas starter) be a trade chip for the Rangers?
Michael Pineda (tonight’s Yankees starter) looking to bounce back at home (2.05 ERA at Yankee Stadium in 2015)
Nick Martinez (Saturday’s Rangers starter) coming off five walks in his last start
CC Sabathia (Saturday’s Yankees starter) trying to win his third straight start
Yovani Gallardo (Sunday’s Rangers starter) has been a disappointment in Texas so far
Chris Capuano (Sunday’s Yankees starter) looking to earn his spot in the rotation.
Rangers Players To Watch: Adrian Beltre and Delino DeShields
Yankees Players To Watch: Brett Gardner and Carlos Beltran
The rough season for 21-year old Texas infielder, Rougned Odor
How do the Rangers fix their bullpen going forward?

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