Yanks Go Yard Radio Show: Rangers-Yankees Preview (6/27-6/30)

On last night’s episode of the Yanks Go Yard Radio Show, we previewed the Yankees four game series against the Texas Rangers

During last night’s episode of the Yanks Go Yard Radio Show, I started off the episode by recapping the New York Yankees (37-37) taking two of three games from the Minnesota Twins. Plus, the Yankees got Mark Teixeira back at first base on Saturday afternoon after they designated Ike Davis for assignment.

Even though they won the first two games of the series, Nathan Eovaldi and company gave up six home runs to the Twins in a 7-1 loss yesterday. While the Yankees finished the week going 3-2 against the Rockies and Twins, they are 7.5 games behind the Orioles in the AL East.

Tonight, the Yankees begin their last home series of the first half of the season against the Texas Rangers (49-27). Jeff Banister’s club is 18-6 so far in the month of June and they have a commanding ten game lead on the Houston Astros in the AL West (largest of any team in baseball).

This month, the Rangers are fourth in the American League in runs scored, tied for third in home runs, and fourth in slugging percentage. Their best player this month has been outfielder Ian Desmond. Desmond, who is tied with Roughned Odor for the team lead in home runs, is hitting .376 this month with six home runs and 17 RBI’s.

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Even though the Texas Rangers have the best starters ERA of any team in the AL (3.62), they are currently without three of their starting pitchers as Yu Darvish, Derek Holland, and Colby Lewis are all on the disabled list. But, Cole Hamels (8-1, 2.79 ERA) has still been the ace of the staff.

The problem for the Rangers this season has been finding some consistency in the bullpen. They had to make a change recently at the closer spot when Sam Dyson took over for Shawn Tolleson. But, Dyson is 15-for-16 in saves and has an ERA of 1.93.

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To talk more about the Rangers, my guest was Ben Davila, one of the writers at FanSided’s Dallas site, Sport DFW. Ben gave his take on the Rangers recent success and who is the team that can challenge Texas in the AL West between the Astros and Mariners. Here are some of the other topics we discussed:

• Desmond having a surprising season
• State of the starting rotation
• Chi Chi Gonzalez (Tonight’s Rangers starter) making his 2016 debut
• Ivan Nova (tonight’s Yankees starter) has given up five runs in three of his last four starts
• Hamels (Tomorrow’s Rangers starter) is 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA this month
• C.C. Sabathia (Tomorrow’s Yankees starter) looking to bounce back after a bad outing against the Rockies.
• Nick Martinez (Wednesday’s Rangers starter) has had issues with his command
• Masahiro Tanaka (Wednesday’s Yankees starter) coming off a quality outing against the Twins
• A.J. Griffin (Thursday’s Rangers starter) now back in the Texas rotation
• Has Michael Pineda (Thursday’s Yankees starter) finally turned a corner?
• Yankees hitters to watch: Brett Gardner and Chase Headley
• Rangers hitters to watch: Nomar Mazara and Elvis Andrus
• What would the Rangers give up for Chapman or Miller?
• Adrian Beltre going under the radar

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