The Texas Rangers must be happy to return home to Arlington. The defending American League champions' most recent road trip did not go so well - the Rangers dropped three of four to Oakland before losing two of three to Seattle. After the 2-5 road trip, the Rangers return home and send Matt Harrison to the mound to take on the AL East leading New York Yankees.
Harrison has been terrible in his last two starts, only pitching 4.2 innings combined between them, giving up 14 hits, five walks and 11 runs. Harrison pitched well in his first four starts of the year, but needs to start stringing together quality starts to prove that the first four starts were not a mirage.
Texas' offense will face New York righty Ivan Nova. Nova hasn't pitched well overall on the year, owning a 5.14 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and .275 BAA - but has pitched well recently. Nova has pitched 6.1 innings in each of his last two starts, allowing only three runs between the two starts. Still, despite the recent turn around for Nova, he's walked 15 batters on the year and has struck out only 17 - not exactly a good ratio.
The trip to Arlington will be the first for the Yanks since losing Game 6 of the 2010 ALCS to the Rangers.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT.