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McCarthy tries to lead Yankees past Rangers Tuesday
By: Brian Graham - StatFox
Published: 7/29/2014  at  10:30:00 AM
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NEW YORK YANKEES (54-51)

at TEXAS RANGERS (42-64)

First pitch: Tuesday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: New York -155, Texas +145, Total: 9

A pair of struggling teams clash on Tuesday night when the Rangers host the Yankees in the second contest of a three-game set.

Texas entered this series having lost seven of nine contests, but used a great performance by ace Yu Darvish (7 IP, 2 ER, 8 K's) to defeat New York 4-2 on Monday night. The only runs he allowed were a pair of solo homers to OF Brett Gardner. That marked the third straight loss for the Yankees, who now sit 4.5 games out of first place in the AL East. While the Rangers had the clear pitching advantage on Monday, Tuesday's pitching edge goes to New York with RHP Brandon McCarthy, who has been outstanding in his first three starts with his new team, going 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA. Texas counters with Nick Martinez, who is 1-5 with a 5.49 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 12 starts as a rookie. But Martinez pitched quite well in his last start -- also against the Yankees -- when he blanked New York for 5.1 innings with as many strikeouts (three) as hits allowed. While the Yankees have been a quality road team this season at 29-25 (.537, 8th in majors), the Rangers have the worst home record in baseball at 20-32 (.385). This series has been very even over the past three seasons, with New York holding the 10-9 edge, and Texas having the 5-3 advantage in home games. Although McCarthy's team is 6-18 in the past two seasons with him on the mound when the Total is 8.5 to 10 runs, consider that the Rangers are 2-16 as a home underdog of +100 or higher this season.

Brandon McCarthy (1.35 WHIP) has allowed only one run in each of his three starts with New York. During this span, he carries a strong 1.18 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and three walks over 18.2 innings. In his last outing on Thursday -- also against the Rangers -- McCarthy posted a pitching line of: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB's, 5 K's, leading the Yankees to a 4-2 victory. In his career versus Texas, the right-hander has been mediocre, going 3-4 with a 4.50 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 11 starts (5-6 team record). The last time he pitched in Arlington on May 30, 2013, McCarthy was absolutely shelled, giving up six runs on nine hits in a mere 2.2 innings. The one Texas hitter he has nightmares about is All-Star 3B Adrian Beltre, who is 14-for-36 (.389) with four doubles, two homers and 10 RBI in the head-to-head matchup. But OF Alex Rios (1-for-19, 3 K's) and SS Elvis Andrus (4-for-23, 6 K's) have hated facing McCarthy. If the veteran does get into trouble on Tuesday, he knows that the Yankees bullpen is very good (3.70 ERA, 1.27 WHIP). These numbers are even better on the road (3.11 ERA, 1.19 WHIP). Closer David Robertson (2.50 ERA, 0.98 WHIP) has 26 saves in 28 chances this season.

Nick Martinez has really struggled this season as a starter, producing more walks (27) than strikeouts (23) over his dozen starts, where his Rangers have tallied a 4-8 record. His numbers at home have been unbelievably bad, as Martinez is 0-3 with a 10.44 ERA and 2.66 WHIP in four starts in Arlington, walking 14 and fanning just five. Current Yankees have combined to go 3-for-18 against Martinez in their collective careers, with OF Brett Gardner, 2B Brian Roberts and OF Jacoby Ellsbury all going 1-for-2. If Martinez runs into trouble, he doesn't have a great bullpen to bail him out, as Rangers relievers are 14-18 with a 4.38 ERA and 1.37 WHIP. These numbers are slightly better at home though, falling to a 4.10 ERA and 1.28 WHIP.


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