Texas @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 9, 2018 ) Texas 3, NY Yankees 7

The New York Yankees have rattled off four consecutive victories since enduring a season-worst five-game slide and look to post another when they host the Texas Rangers on Friday for the second contest of their four-game set. Neil Walker homered from both sides of the plate on Thursday as New York went deep a total of five times en route to a series-opening 7-3 win.

Giancarlo Stanton launched his 28th home run while Miguel Andujar and Aaron Hicks also belted shots as all of the Yankees' runs came courtesy of the long ball. Stanton has homered in each of his last three games, collecting seven RBIs in that span to raise his team-best total to 74. Jurickson Profar delivered a solo blast for the Rangers, giving him three homers and 10 RBIs in seven contests this month. Elvis Andrus was hitless in four at-bats as his career-best 19-game hitting streak came to an end.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Mike Minor (8-6, 4.53 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (9-2, 3.76)

Minor has won back-to-back starts, allowing three runs, eight hits and one walk while registering 14 strikeouts. The 30-year-old has struggled on the road this season as he is 3-4 with a 6.50 ERA in nine turns. Minor is 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in four career appearances (two starts) against the Yankees but will be making his first start versus the club since 2012.

Tanaka has won seven consecutive decisions, last losing on April 17 against Miami. The 29-year-old gave up one run and six hits while striking out nine over 4 2/3 innings of a no-decision at Boston in his last turn. Tanaka is 1-2 with a 6.52 ERA in five career starts against the Rangers, with the triumph coming despite his allowing four runs and three hits over five innings on May 21.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees RF Aaron Judge still is unable to swing a bat two weeks after suffering a fractured wrist, and MGR Aaron Boone indicated the slugger won't be ready to return late next week as initially forecast.

2. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre was hitless in four at-bats on Thursday and is 2-for-20 over his last five contests.

3. New York 2B Gleyber Torres was held out of the series opener after going 3-for-24 with nine strikeouts during the team's recently completed seven-game road trip.

PREDICTION: Yankees 7, Rangers 4