New York Yankees (79-57) vs. Texas Rangers (64-72)
On Monday, September 2, 2024, baseball fans can anticipate an exciting matchup as the New York Yankees face off against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The game is set to begin at 8:05 PM ET.
This marks the start of a three-game series, with New York entering as a strong -200 moneyline favorite. The over/under for total runs in the game is set at 8.5.
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Yankees Struggling for Consistency
The Yankees, currently boasting a 79-57 record, faced the St. Louis Cardinals recently, aiming to secure a three-game series win. After a solid 6-3 victory in the opener, they stumbled with a narrow 6-5 loss in the second game.
This defeat marked their seventh loss in the last 13 games. Despite this, they maintained a slim lead in the AL East, sitting a game and a half ahead of the Baltimore Orioles. Over the last two weeks, the Yankees have posted a .248 batting average along with a .324 on-base percentage and a .448 slugging percentage. Their bullpen has also shown promise, recording a 2.82 ERA and a 4.05 FIP.
Gerrit Cole, the Yankees’ ace, will take the mound on Monday. The 33-year-old right-hander has a record of 5-3 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP over 12 starts this season. His performance in August was commendable, achieving a 2-1 record alongside a 1.93 ERA in five starts.
Cole previously faced the Rangers on August 10, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing just one run while striking out ten batters. The current Rangers roster has a collective batting average of .291 against him, with nine doubles, one triple, and six home runs.
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Rangers Facing an Uphill Battle
The Texas Rangers, who currently sit at 64-72, recently squared off against the Oakland Athletics, looking to win a three-game series. They managed a close 3-2 victory on Saturday after suffering a significant 9-2 loss in the series opener.
In their last 12 games, the Rangers have notched eight wins. Surprisingly, they have only managed nine home runs during this span, with a batting line of .229/.275/.345. Their bullpen has been particularly effective, boasting a 2.72 ERA and a perfect 6-0 record. However, the Rangers remain ten games behind the AL West-leading Houston Astros and 9.5 games out of the wild card spot.
Starting for Texas on Monday will be Andrew Heaney, a 33-year-old left-hander with a record of 4-13 and a 3.95 ERA across 26 starts this season. Heaney has shown improvement in his last two outings, allowing just one run in ten innings pitched.
Heaney will face the Yankees for the second time this season, having previously lost an 8-7 contest on August 11, where he allowed four runs in 4.2 innings. Currently, Yankees hitters have a collective batting average of .242 against Heaney with seven home runs.
Strategic Bets for Yankees vs. Rangers
The Yankees have shown a stronger offensive performance against right-handed pitchers, achieving a 122 OPS+ in these matchups, compared to a 102 OPS+ against lefties this season. A recent game against Patrick Corbin, one of the less effective pitchers, resulted in a disappointing performance for New York.
Given these factors, the Rangers could potentially surprise the Yankees. Andrew Heaney’s recent form, coupled with the Rangers’ solid bullpen, makes them a team to watch. Their hitters have a respectable history against Gerrit Cole, although their offensive output has declined in recent weeks.
