Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Texas Rangers 9/8

The New York Yankees are fresh off an off day and fresh off a plane that brought the team to Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas. Another day and not only another big series but another series between two potential American League Wild Card winning hopefuls this season. In the opener of this three-game weekend between the two clubs the Yankees will send Masahiro Tanaka to the mound to face off with the Rangers starter Martin Perez. Another fun weekend of baseball so let’s get to it.

Tanaka has been sharp since coming off the disabled list with inflammation of his right throwing shoulder. In his last three starts the Japanese-born right-hander has posted an impressive 3-0 record with a 2.14 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched. Tanaka has been just what the doctor ordered for the playoff hopeful Yankees down the stretch.

Perez has not been great at home this season posting a 5.42 ERA in 16 home starts. In the immortal words of Yankees manager Joe Girardi, that’s not what you want if you’re the Texas Rangers right now. Perez did pitch well in his last start though holding the Angels to three earned runs in six innings though and will look to build on that tonight against Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and the rest of the explosive Yankees offense.

The game will be played at 8:05 pm ET inside Globe Life Park in Arlington and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network and MLB TV. You can also follow along in your cars and on the radio by tuning into the WFAN broadcast with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman. Need a win, take a step closer to the postseason, and get a win. Go Yankees!