MLB Game Preview: Texas Rangers (25-25) vs. New York Yankees (29-19)

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The Texas Rangers and New York Yankees continue their three-game series at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, May 22, 2025, with the Yankees holding a 1-0 series lead after a 5-2 victory in Game 1. The Rangers will look to bounce back, while the Yankees aim to extend their winning streak.

Team Overview & Season Performance

Texas Rangers (25-25, 3rd in AL West)

  • The Rangers have been inconsistent, sitting just above .500 after losing two of three to Houston before this series.
  • Jacob deGrom is expected to start, boasting a 4-1 record with a 2.29 ERA.
  • Corey Seager and Marcus Semien lead the offense, but the team ranks 22nd in OPS over the past 30 days.
  • Texas must generate more offense after struggling against New York’s pitching in Game 1.

New York Yankees (29-19, 1st in AL East)

  • The Yankees have won four of their last five games, including a series win over the Mets before facing Texas.
  • Ryan Yarbrough is expected to start, holding a 1-0 record with a 3.70 ERA.
  • Aaron Judge and Anthony Volpe have been key contributors, with Judge homering in Game 1.
  • New York’s bullpen has been dominant, limiting opponents to a .215 batting average.

Key Matchups to Watch

Jacob deGrom vs. Yankees’ Offense

  • DeGrom has been elite in his last six starts, allowing two or fewer earned runs each time.
  • The Yankees lead MLB in walk percentage, meaning deGrom must limit free passes.

Ryan Yarbrough vs. Rangers’ Lineup

  • Yarbrough has been solid in limited starts, allowing three earned runs in nine innings pitched.
  • Texas must capitalize on early scoring opportunities to avoid another slow offensive night.

Aaron Judge vs. Rangers’ Pitching

  • Judge homered in Game 1 and has been on a hot streak, batting .377 with four home runs in his last 13 games.
  • Texas must find ways to neutralize his power, especially in late-game situations.

X-Factors

Texas’ Offensive Struggles

  • The Rangers rank 22nd in OPS over the past month, meaning they must find ways to manufacture runs.
  • If Seager and Semien fail to produce, Texas could struggle again.

Yankees’ Bullpen Strength

  • New York’s bullpen has been one of the best in MLB, meaning Texas must score early before relievers take over.

Weather Conditions

  • Rain is expected throughout the day, which could impact pitching grip and offensive production.

Game Odds

Texas Rangers                    7.5

New York Yankees           – 162

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, May 21, 2025