New York Yankees (18-13) at Texas Rangers (18-16)
Probable Starting Pitchers: C.C. Sabathia (2-2, 2.68 ERA), Dave Bush (0-0, 1.46 ERA)
The Rangers can win their first series since sweeping the Royals back on April 24, but to do it they’ll have to beat the Yankees with C.C. Sabathia on the mound and with fill-in starter David Bush going. Bush will start because Alexi Ogando’s blister issue continues to plague him after receiving a temporary fingernail. Bush will be making his second start of the season. His first lasted just three innings, but he did make a 4.1 inning appearance one week ago.
The Rangers jumped out to a five-run lead behind home runs by Michael Young and David Murphy and a triple by Julio Borbon, but Derek Holland (3 IP, 4 R) helped blow the cushion, before a sixth inning rally plated two runs to rebuild their lead. Neftali Feliz returned to close his first game since April 20.
The seven runs were a bit of an outburst for the Rangers, who scored just one in the first game of the series, as Ivan Nova pitched seven strong innings and Curtis Granderson homered twice. Texas had not scored more than five runs yet in May.
The Rangers enter the finale in second place of an American League West where one game separates first and second, second and third, and third and fourth.
First pitch is 1:05 CDT in Arlington. The game can be seen nationally on TBS.