Texas Rangers (9-3) at New York Yankees (7-4)
Starting Pitchers: Matt Harrison (2-0, 1.29 ERA), Ivan Nova (1-0, 6.10 ERA)
For the first time this year, the Texas Rangers are on a losing streak. The Rangers dropped the final two of their three game set against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday and Wednesday. Still, Texas owns the best record in the American League and are taking that best record to New York on Friday in a rematch of the 2010 ALCS.
Matt Harrison draws the start on Friday for the Rangers. Harrison has pitched surprisingly well for Texas so far, earning a win in each of his first two starts. On the year thus far, Harrison has pitched 14 innings - seven in each of his starts - allowing just seven hits and three walks while striking out 11.
Texas will of course be without the reigning American League MVP, Josh Hamilton, who was injured on Tuesday's game. Hamilton suffered a nondisplaced fracture in his shoulder after diving head first into home plate attempting to tag up and score on a foul ball next to the third base dugout.
The rest of the Texas offense will have to pick up the slack against New York starting pitcher Ivan Nova tonight. Nova, a 24 year old righty, couldn't escape the fifth inning against the Red Sox last Saturday, allowing four runs on seven hits while walking three in just four and a third innings of work.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST, 6:05 p.m. CST.