The New York Yankees (42-35) will host the Texas Rangers (45-33) in the rubber match of a three-game set that has seen a fair share of fireworks. The matinee game is set for a 1:05 p.m. start and can be live streamed here. Yankees fans can listen to the game on WCBS 880 AM, while Rangers fans can do the same on 103.3 ESPN Radio.
The Yankees will send Phil Hughes (3-6, 5.09 ERA) to the mound to face the dangerous Rangers lineup. Hughes needs a good performance today, because if he struggles again he could be in danger of losing his rotation spot.
His propensity for giving up home runs has badly hurt him in 2013, and Michael Pineda, whom the Yankees traded top catcher prospect Jesus Montero for two offseasons ago, is progressing nicely from his shoulder injury. Ivan Nova also pitched well in his last outing, turning up the heat on Hughes, who said he isn't focused on his role.
"My only concern is pitching well," Hughes said. "Things that I can't control, I don't really concern myself with."
The Rangers will counter with young left-hander Derek Holland (5-4, 3.43 ERA) who is piecing together the best year of his career, but who has also been smacked around by the Yankees historically, to the tune of an 0-5 record with an 8.69 ERA.
"I know New York has been pretty tough (for me), but my job is not to worry about that," Holland said. "I need to turn the page and make something else happen."
Yesterday it was announced that the Yankees will be without first baseman Mark Teixeira for the rest of the season, after team doctors decided he needs season-ending surgery on his torn sheath tendon in his wrist. The onus will be squarely on Robinson Cano now to carry the Yankees' often anemic offense. He has not homered in the Yankees' last 11 games.
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