Texas @ New York preview
Yankee Stadium
Last Meeting ( Aug 16, 2012 ) Texas 10, NY Yankees 6
Yu Darvish goes for his first victory in nearly six weeks Tuesday when the Texas Rangers open a three-game series against the host New York Yankees. The major-league leader in strikeouts fanned 10 batters in his lone career outing versus New York on April 24, 2012. Darvish would be smart to keep an eye on promising rookie Zoilo Almonte, who wrapped up his first major-league series against Tampa Bay by going 7-for-11 with a home run and four RBIs.
Darvish will be opposed by Japanese countryman Hiroki Kuroda, who recorded his first victory since May 17 when he blanked his former team - the Los Angeles Dodgers - in his last trip to the mound. That victory was just the fourth in 12 games for the Yankees, who have mustered three or fewer runs in seven of those contests. Texas enjoyed a well-deserved day off after going 20 without one - capped by a fifth straight victory, Sunday's 2-1 triumph over St. Louis.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSSW (Texas), YES, WWOR (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Yu Darvish (7-3, 2.84 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Hiroki Kuroda (7-5, 2.78)
Darvish, who last won on May 16, was originally slated to pitch Sunday against St. Louis, but saw his start pushed back to make room for Martin Perez. The young fireballer yielded five runs on six hits in as many innings to take the loss versus Oakland in his last turn. Darvish has pitched well on the road, winning three of four decisions while brandishing a 0.76 WHIP and limiting opponents to a .155 batting average.
Before beating the Dodgers, Kuroda posted an 0-3 mark in his previous five starts despite permitting just 14 runs. The 38-year-old is 1-2 in his career versus Texas, despite striking out 16 batters and registering a 2.57 ERA. Kuroda is 5-2 with a 2.08 ERA at Yankee Stadium this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York 1B Mark Teixeira is still experiencing pain in his right wrist after receiving a cortisone shot more than a week ago.
2. Texas 2B Ian Kinsler, who had the tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh on Sunday, has 11 singles during his seven-game hitting streak. Kinsler is 2-for-9 in his career versus Kuroda.
3. The Yankees have won 15 of their last 20 home games against the Rangers.
PREDICTION: Rangers 3, Yankees 2