Hot-hitting Robbie Grossman will be looking to extend his 10-game hitting streak as the Texas Rangers (16-11) host the New York Yankees (15-13) at Globe Life Field on Sunday with the visitors eyeing a split of the four-game series.
The Rangers lead the series 2-1 after winning 2-0 on Saturday. Starter Nathan Eovaldi had a complete game shutout. He gave up only three hits, striking out eight en route to the win.
Ezequiel Duran’s on-base streak hit 11 as he went 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Willie Calhoun was 1 for 3 for the Yankees.
ON THE MOUND
Nestor Cortes (3-1, 3.49 ERA) is set to get the start for New York. The southpaw allowed four runs (three earned) over five innings in his last start, a 6-2 road defeat against the Twins on Tuesday.
He was charged with the loss, giving up five hits while striking out six and walking one. Cortes is making his first appearance against the Rangers this season.
Cortes made one start against the Rangers in 2022, a 1-0 home victory on May 9. He allowed one hit over 7.1 scoreless innings, striking out 11 and walking four.
Left-hander Martin Perez (3-1, 2.60 ERA) gets the ball for Texas. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Yankees. Perez made one start against the Yankees in 2022, throwing six innings in a 3-1 home defeat on October 3. He gave up five hits and walked five, while striking out two in the loss.
In his last start on Tuesday, Perez took a no-decision on the road against the Reds. He threw 6.1 innings and gave up one run (0 ER) on six hits, striking out five and walking one in the 7-6 loss.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, New York has averaged 4.0 runs a game, equal to their season average. Against lefties like Perez this season, the Yanks have a .653 OPS.
Gleyber Torres is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a 1.043 OPS in 19 at-bats.Texas is averaging only 3.6 runs per game in the last five, down from 6.0 for the season, with their slash line dropping across the board (.225/.279/.394).
The Rangers have a .715 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a .641 OPS over 19 at-bats, Grossman has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is 6-6 away from Yankee Stadium in 2023, scoring 4.4 runs per game while allowing 3.8 runs. Texas has gone 10-5 at Globe Life Field this season, averaging 6.1 runs per game while surrendering 3.7. New York is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Globe Life Field with an average scoreline of 2.9-2.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Yankees are fourth in the AL East, eight games behind the division-leading Rays. The Rangers lead the AL West by two games over the Astros.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
NY Yankees (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
