NY Yankees vs. Texas Rangers 2015: TV Schedule, News, Tickets, Pitching Matchups

The New York Yankees (22-19) and Texas Rangers (17-23) are set to play a three-game series in the Bronx on Memorial Day Weekend. While it’s still relatively early in the season, the recent struggles for both clubs have placed a little more importance on the upcoming three-game set.

New York is still tied atop the American League East, but that won’t last long if they continue to play like they have over the last week. The Yankees have lost seven of their last eight contests, including a two-game sweep at the hands of the Washington Nationals on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The team’s offense was its biggest question mark at the start of the year, and it has failed them during the current stretch. In six of their seven losses, the Yankees have scored two runs or fewer, including a shutout on Sunday. New York wasted a six-run performance on Tuesday when they blew a four-run lead.

Texas is coming off a win over the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, but they’ve lost four of their last six contests. The Rangers, who find themselves in fourth place in the AL West, are trailing the first-place Houston Astros by 9.5 games.

The Rangers won’t have to worry about getting out Jacoby Ellsbury, who’s been the Yankees’ best hitter in 2015. The outfielder went on the 15-day disabled list with a right knee sprain on Tuesday, having led the team with a .324 batting average and 14 stolen bases. New York will get Alex Rodriguez back in the lineup, since he’s been relegated to a role of DH and didn’t start either game in Washington. Rodriguez pinch hit on Wednesday and struck out to end the game.

Prince Fielder has been the best hitter for Texas, ranking second in the AL with a .348 batting average and a team-leading 23 RBI. The return of Josh Hamilton is on the horizon, as he just hit a home run for Double-A Frisco. The recently re-acquired outfielder is rehabbing from a shoulder injury.

While the Yankees are off on Thursday, the Rangers have one game left in their series with the Boston Red Sox. The Rangers send Wandy Rodriguez to the mound against Clay Buchholz.

Masahiro Tanaka will make a rehab start for Triple-A Scranton on Thursday, as he tries to come back from a strained right forearm and tendinitis in his wrist.

Tickets

Seats are still available for all three games at Yankees.com. Tickets can be had for as cheap as $22.80 each in the bleachers from Friday through Sunday. Seats ranging up to $592 are available for the first two games, while the best available Sunday night tickets are in the Champions Suite for $413.85. Just over 39,000 fans attended the Yankees’ last home game.

Starting Pitching Matchups

Michael Pineda (5-1, 3.31 ERA) vs. Colby Lewis (3-2, 3.06 ERA)

C.C. Sabathia (2-5, 4.67 ERA) vs. Nick Martinez (3-0, 1.88 ERA)

Chris Capuano (1-0, 12.00 ERA) vs. Yovani Gallardo (3-6, 4.26 ERA)

TV Schedule

Friday, 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network/YES/FSSW

Saturday, 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network/WPIX/FSSW

Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN