Rangers at Yankees
One day after being shut out for the first time in well over a year, the New York Yankees will try to get their bats going again in the second of a three-game series with the visiting Texas Rangers on Tuesday. The mighty Yankees lineup was held to six hits and went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position in Monday's 7-0 loss.
It was the first time they were blanked since June 30, 2018, by the Boston Red Sox. The unlikely result left New York at 51-22 at home and with a nine-game advantage on Tampa Bay in the American League East. Shin-Soo Choo had one of three home runs by the Rangers on Monday as his team won for the third time in the past four games. James Paxton has won each of his last six starts and will try to extend the solid run when he takes the mound for the Yankees on Tuesday. The Rangers turn to Ariel Jurado as they seek their third straight victory on the road.
TV: 6:35 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Ariel Jurado (7-10, 5.19 ERA) vs. Yankees LH James Paxton (11-6, 4.39)
Jurado tossed a career-high eight innings two turns ago before spinning six scoreless in relief during a 3-0 win at the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. He has just three strikeouts and four walks in 16 frames over his last three outings. The 23-year old made one start at Yankee Stadium last year and was tagged with the loss after giving up six runs over five innings.
Paxton's run has him on the verge of matching his career high in wins, accomplished with Seattle in 2017. He allowed two runs on one hit with five walks against the Mariners on the road his last time out. The 30-year-old has had his issues with Choo (6-for-15, two doubles versus Paxton) and is 2-4 with a 4.66 ERA in his career against Texas.
WALK-OFFS
1. Yankees 1B/DH Edwin Encarnacion (wrist) is expected to rejoin the club Tuesday.
2. New York 2B Gleyber Torres is 3-for-18 with five strikeouts over his last five games.
3. Rangers SS Elvis Andrus is 6-for-13 over his last three games after going hitless in 15 at-bats over his previous four contests.