Free MLB Picks Today: New York Yankees vs Texas Rangers 6/25/23

Nathan Eovaldi and Gerrit Cole, two of this season’s stingiest pitchers, go head-to-head at Yankee Stadium on Sunday as the Texas Rangers (47-29) take on the New York Yankees (42-35) with the three-game series tied at 1-1.

The Yankees evened the series 1-1 after winning 1-0 on Saturday, their second head-to-head victory in six games this season. Starter Luis Severino threw six scoreless innings for the win, and Ron Marinaccio picked up his second save with a scoreless ninth.

Billy McKinney’s on-base streak reached 15 games as he went 1 for 3 with a solo home run in the win. Marcus Semien was 3 for 5 for the Rangers.

ON THE MOUND

Eovaldi (9-3, 2.80 ERA) is set for the start for Texas. The RHP is tied for second in the AL in wins and fifth in ERA. Eovaldi allowed four runs over six innings in his last start, a 7-6 home defeat against the White Sox on Tuesday.

He yielded five hits while striking out four and walking two in the no-decision. Eovaldi had a complete game shutout in his only previous start against the Yankees this season, a 2-0 home victory on April 29. He gave up only three hits, striking out eight en route to the win.

For New York, RHP Cole (8-1, 2.64 ERA) will toe the rubber. He has made one prior start against the Rangers this season, giving up two runs over 6.2 innings in a 4-2 road win on April 27. He gave up six hits and walked one while striking out eight in the win.

In his last start on Tuesday, Cole got the win at home against the Mariners. He threw 7.1 innings and gave up one run on four hits, striking out eight and walking one in the 3-1 triumph. The right-hander ranks fourth in the AL in ERA and strikeouts (106) and is tied for fourth in wins.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Texas has averaged only 4.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 6.0, while performing worse across the board (.261/.323/.402). Against righties like Cole this season, the Rangers have a .785 OPS, third highest in MLB.

Nathaniel Lowe is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .839 OPS in 197 at-bats. New York is averaging only 2.4 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.3 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.188/.253/.329).

The Yanks have a .704 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.186 OPS over 144 at-bats, Aaron Judge has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Texas is 23-16 away from Globe Life Field in 2023, scoring 5.6 runs per game while allowing 3.7 runs. New York has gone 24-19 at Yankee Stadium this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 3.8. New York is 8-2 in the last 10 games at Yankee Stadium between the teams with an average scoreline of 4.0-1.8.