Texas @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 26, 2013 ) Texas 8, NY Yankees 5

Five has been a magic number for the New York Yankees, who were the only team in the majors to have not lost when scoring that many runs - until Wednesday's 8-5 setback to the Texas Rangers dropped them to 24-1 in such scenarios. The Yankees will look to extend their home domination over the Rangers in Thursday afternoon's series finale. Texas is 3-12 in its last 15 games at Yankee Stadium and hasn't won a series there since Aug. 25-27, 2009.

The Yankees have been a nemesis for the Rangers and left-hander Derek Holland, who will take the mound Thursday with an 0-5 record and stratospheric 8.85 ERA in eight appearances (seven starts) against New York. He will be matched up against right-hander Phil Hughes, who had a solid track record against the Rangers but lasted only 2 2/3 innings when he last faced them in April 2012. Texas has come from behind in each of its last nine wins.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Southwest (Texas), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Derek Holland (5-4, 3.43 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Phil Hughes (3-6, 5.09)

Holland's winless drought stretched to four starts when he allowed four runs on seven hits in a 6-4 loss at St. Louis his last time out. It was the third straight outing in which Holland permitted four runs, although he gave up only four hits after surrendering a total of 28 in his three previous outings. Holland has coughed up 11 homers in 39 2/3 innings against the Yankees.

Hughes has only one win in his last seven outings, although the Yankees have provided little support, scoring two runs or fewer six times in that span. He was tagged for five runs and 10 hits in six innings his last time out in a 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also lost his previous start, lasting only 4 1/3 innings and giving up three runs and walking a season-high five.

WALK-OFFS

1. Hughes is 2-1 with a 2.00 ERA and 0.67 WHIP in four appearances (three starts) against Texas.

2. Rangers CF Leonys Martin carries an 11-game hitting streak into the series finale.

3. Yankees 2B Robinson Cano is 7-for-19 (.368) with a homer, triple and double against Holland.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Rangers 4