Texas @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 29, 2016 ) Texas 7, NY Yankees 9

The Texas Rangers were on their way to clinching a series win before the New York Yankees finally decided to put together a late rally on Wednesday. That ninth-inning push left the Yankees with the possibility of a four-game split when they host the Rangers in the series finale on Thursday.

New York was well on its way to a fourth consecutive setback when it went into the bottom of the ninth down 7-3 on Wednesday, but the cozy dimensions of right field in the home stadium contributed to a pair of home runs in the decisive frame, including Didi Gregorius’ walk-off blast. The encouraging thing besides the outburst on offense was that the Yankees managed to record a win without Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller or Aroldis Chapman taking the mound. Texas, which earned its own ninth-inning rally in Monday’s series opener, had a four-game winning streak come to an end but remain tied for the major-league lead in wins with 51. The Rangers offense put up at least six runs in each of the last seven games.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Southwest (Texas), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH A.J. Griffin (3-0, 3.08 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Michael Pineda (3-7, 5.51)

Griffin missed six weeks with shoulder stiffness but returned on Saturday and allowed two runs and four hits while striking out six over 4 1/3 innings against Boston. The California native has yet to allow more than three earned runs in an outing this season and owns 34 strikeouts in 38 total innings. Griffin has never lost to New York, posting a 3-0 record with a 2.49 ERA in four starts.

Pineda is closing out a strong month and allowed one run – a solo homer – and two hits over six innings against Minnesota last time out. The Dominican Republic native boasts a 3.00 ERA and 37 strikeouts over 30 innings in June after posting a 6.33 ERA in April and a 7.52 mark in May. Pineda is still searching for his first win over the Rangers and is 0-3 with a 5.04 ERA in four chances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees C Brian McCann homered twice on Wednesday for his second multi-home run game in his last seven contests.

2. Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre is 9-for-22 with nine RBIS and eight runs scored in the last five games.

3. New York RF Carlos Beltran (hamstring) sat out Wednesday and is not expected to play on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Yankees 3