Yanks Go Yard Radio Show Rewind: Yankees-Rangers Preview (7/27-7/30)

By Ricky Keeler | Jul 27, 2015

On last night’s episode of the Yanks Go Yard Radio Show, brought to you by KNODA.com, I started off the episode by talking about the latest trade deadline rumors involving the New York Yankees (55-42) and pitcher Cole Hamels. On the field, the Yankees got their ten game road trip off to a good start by taking two of three from the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

In those two games, the Yankees scored 15 runs, but the star of the series was now 40-year-old Alex Rodriguez. On Saturday night, the Yankees’ designated hitter hit three home runs, including the game tying home run against Glen Perkins in the top of the ninth. A-Rod is hitting .262 this month with eight home runs and 13 RBI’s.

More from Yankees News

With the Yankees now up 6.5 games on the Blue Jays in the AL East, New York will continue their road trip in Texas tonight when they begin a four game series against the Rangers (47-50). Back in May, Jeff Bannister’s club swept the Yankees in the Bronx, outscoring them 30-15 over the course of three games.

Since June 1, the Rangers have struggled, going 21-25 in their last 46 games. They are 7.5 games behind the Angels in the AL West and 4.5 games behind the Twins for the second Wild Card.

Prince Fielder continues to be the team’s best hitter. Fielder is hitting .337 with 15 home runs, 58 RBI’s, and has a .406 on-base percentage. Texas’ offense is tied for fifth in the American League in runs scored and they are seventh in the AL in on-base percentage. Offense has not been an issue with the Rangers, but their pitching has been.

Even though Matt Harrison and Martin Perez are back in the rotation, Rangers’ starters have a combined ERA of 4.27 this season (11^th in the American League). Most rumors have the Rangers as one of the frontrunners to acquire Hamels from the Phillies, but they could also sell Yovani Gallardo, who is on the final year of his deal. Their bullpen hasn’t been better as they have the worst combined ERA of any team in the AL (4.59).

To talk more about the Rangers and their trade deadline plans, I spoke with Joshua McSwain, the co-editor at Nolan Writin’. We discussed the chances that the Rangers stay in the running for the postseason and the likelihood that the team will land Hamels between now and Friday’s trade deadline. Here are some of the topics we discussed:

How different is this Texas team between last May and right now
Could Yovani Gallardo still be a Ranger after this season?
What would Texas have to give up to get Hamels?
Pitching Matchup Breakdown
Matt Harrison (tonight’s starter) threw six shutout innings in his last start
Ivan Nova (tonight’s Yankees’ starter) still struggling with his command
Who could the Yankees start on Tuesday night?
Expectations for Martin Perez (Tuesdays’ Rangers’ starter) the rest of the way
Masahiro Tanaka (Wednesday’s Yankees’ starter) has given up five home runs in his last two starts
Colby Lewis (Wednesday’s Rangers starter) has responded well after giving up ten runs against the Angels July 5
How much concern should the Yankees have about Michael Pineda (Thursday’s Yankees’ starter)
Yovani Gallardo (Thursday’s Rangers starter) has a 2.43 ERA at home this season.
Rangers’ hitters to watch: Prince Fielder and Shin-Soo Choo
Yankees’ Hitters to watch: Alex Rodriguez and Chase Headley
Impressions of how Josh Hamilton has fared in Texas this season

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE YANKS GO YARD RADIO SHOW!!!

More from Yanks Go Yard

Home/Yankees News