Free MLB Picks Today: Texas Rangers vs New York Yankees 4/27/23

The Texas Rangers (14-10) and their high-scoring lineup are set to host the New York Yankees (14-11) and Gerrit Cole, one of this season’s stingiest pitchers, at Globe Life Field on Thursday for the first of a four-game series.

The Yankees are in the midst of a seven-game road trip. They won only one out of three in their last series against the Twins, taking the finale 12-6 on Wednesday at Target Field. Aaron Judge was 3 for 4 with two doubles, one run, and three RBIs.

Anthony Volpe added a double, three runs, and three RBIs. The Rangers are playing the first of six games at home. They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Reds, dropping the finale 5-3 on Wednesday at Great American Ball Park. Nathaniel Lowe went 1 for 3 with a double and one RBI.

The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Yankees won four of the seven games between the teams, although they split their most recent four-game series at Globe Life Field in October.

ON THE MOUND

Cole (4-0, 0.79 ERA) is slated to take the mound for New York. The righty is tied for second in the AL in wins and third in ERA. Cole threw 5.2 scoreless innings in his last start, a 3-2 home win over the Blue Jays on Saturday.

He gave up four hits while striking out four and walking two in the no-decision. Over two starts against the Rangers in 2022, Cole was 0-1 with a 2.19 ERA over 12.1 innings.

He had 19 strikeouts and one walk. For Texas, lefty Andrew Heaney (2-1, 4.34 ERA) will toe the rubber.

In his last start on Saturday, Heaney got the win at home against the Athletics. He threw six innings and gave up two runs on five hits, striking out four and walking two in the 18-3 triumph.

AT THE PLATE

The New York offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .225/.303/.383. Anthony Rizzo leads the team in OPS at .889. The second baseman is slashing .286/.378/.512 with five home runs, 13 RBIs, and 12 runs over 24 games.

Against southpaws like Heaney this season, the Yanks have a .648 OPS, fourth lowest in the league. Gleyber Torres is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a .774 OPS in 12 at-bats.

Texas is slashing .264/.341/.448 for the season and averaging 6.4 runs per game, second best in MLB. Marcus Semien leads the team with ann .857 OPS. The left fielder has five home runs, 22 RBIs, and 23 runs scored with a slash line of .290/.362/.495.

Texas is averaging 7.6 runs per game in the last five with a better slash line (.299/.371/.540). The Rangers have ann .806 OPS against right-handers in 2023, fourth highest in MLB. With a .987 OPS over 67 at-bats, Semien also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

New York is 5-4 away from Yankee Stadium in 2023, scoring 5.2 runs per game while allowing 4.1 runs.

Texas has gone 8-4 at home this season, averaging 6.9 runs per game while surrendering 4.1. New York is 5-3 in eight games at Globe Life Field between the teams with an average scoreline of 3.1-2.6.