New York @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 22, 2013 ) NY Yankees 0, Texas 3

What appeared to be a bleak situation for the Texas Rangers' starting rotation brightened considerably in a matter of hours Monday. Ace Yu Darvish came off the disabled list to spark a 3-0 victory over the New York Yankees and right-hander Matt Garza was acquired from the Chicago Cubs. Those noteworthy developments overshadowed another boost for the pitching staff, which gets back Alexi Ogando on Tuesday to start the second of the four-game series versus New York.

Texas has put together a 20-inning scoreless streak against the Yankees, who are tumbling out of contention in the hotly contested AL East. New York has lost five of six contests and sits seven games behind division-leading Boston and 4 1/2 games back of third-place Baltimore. A punchless offense has been the biggest culprit for the Yankees, who managed three singles Monday in their second straight game without an extra-base hit.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, WWOR (New York), FSN Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Phil Hughes (4-9, 4.57 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Alexi Ogando (4-2, 2.93)

Hughes displayed flashes of brilliance in his last start, striking out a season-high 10, but he also surrendered three homers in a loss to Minnesota - his fifth defeat in six starts. He turned in one of his best performances in a 2-0 loss to Texas on June 27, giving up two runs and five hits over eight strong innings. Hughes has logged a 2-2 record and 2.08 ERA in five appearances (four starts) versus the Rangers.

Ogando (shoulder inflammation) will come off the 15-day disabled list to make his first start in seven weeks. The 29-year-old Dominican has yielded two earned runs or fewer in eight of his 10 starts and gave up a total of six runs while going 2-0 in his last four outings. Ogando has made only two of his 10 starts at home, winning both while giving up two runs and nine hits over 11 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Ogando has struggled versus the Yankees, posting a 1-1 record and 10.03 ERA in 10 appearances (two starts).

2. Yankees SS Derek Jeter (quadriceps) said he hopes to return to the lineup Saturday after taking batting practice and fielding grounders on Monday.

3. Rangers SS Elvis Andrus swiped two bases Monday to become the first player in franchise history with five straight 20-steal seasons.

PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Rangers 4