Texas @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( May 23, 2018 ) NY Yankees 10, Texas 12

The New York Yankees recovered nicely from a disastrous series against their bitter rivals and hope to continue trending in the right direction when they host the Texas Rangers on Thursday for the opener of their four-game series. After enduring a four-game sweep in Boston, the Yankees traveled to Chicago and reversed their fortunes, taking all three meetings with the White Sox.

Giancarlo Stanton highlighted a six-run second inning with his sixth career grand slam - and first since April 18, 2014 while with Miami - as New York rolled to a 7-3 victory on Wednesday. Stanton recorded only three hits in the series against Chicago, but two were home runs for the American League wild card-leading Yankees, who are nine games behind the Red Sox in the AL East. Texas is coming off its ninth win in 12 games, an 11-7 triumph over Seattle on Wednesday that featured a 19-hit attack - with every player in the lineup recording at least one. Joey Gallo was one of three Rangers to collect three hits as he went deep twice for his seventh career multi-homer performance and third this season.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Ariel Jurado (2-1, 4.02 ERA) vs. Yankees LH J.A. Happ (11-6, 4.05)

Jurado seeks his third consecutive victory as he makes his fourth major-league start after being recalled from Double-A Frisco. The 22-year-old Panamanian allowed two runs and six hits over five innings against Baltimore on Friday after limiting host Houston to one run and two hits in six frames on July 28. Jurado has made 16 starts for the RoughRiders this season, going 5-3 with one complete game - a shutout - and a 3.28 ERA.

Happ is expected to return from the disabled list, where he landed after contracting hand, foot and mouth disease, to make his second start since being acquired from Toronto. The 35-year-old native of Illinois was superb in his debut with the Yankees on July 29, allowing one run - a solo homer - and three hits over six innings in a win over Kansas City. Happ is 4-2 with a 2.97 ERA in six career starts versus Texas after giving up two runs and five hits over seven frames in a victory on April 29 while with the Blue Jays.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers SS Elvis Andrus is riding a 19-game hitting streak during which he has gone 29-for-84 with six doubles, two triples, two homers and 12 RBIs.

2. Stanton is three homers away from reaching 30 for the fifth time in his nine major-league seasons.

3. Texas OF Nomar Mazara (thumb) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Yankees 7, Rangers 4