Game 45: Rangers vs. Yankees

The Rangers NEED to respond. Getting pounded 11-1 by a bunch of bozos is not what I would call something to just sit on. Millwood is the way to respond. If there is a pitcher who can lead this team to a win right now, it is Millwood. Chamberlain (2-1, 3.70 ERA) has two career starts against the Rangers, last a total of 8.2 innings. He's given up 13 hits and seven runs (two HRs) while walking six and striking out eleven. He has a 7.27 ERA against the Rangers, who hit .351 off him. The Yankees are 5-3 when he starts. Chamberlain is also playing with a bruised knee and threw a bullpen session on Sunday. He should be ready to go, with or without the injury, it's tough to say.

Yankees to BOO:

• Nick Swisher is 10-25 with two doubles, three HRs, and seven RBIs.
• Alex Rodriguez is 6-16 (.375) with a double, a HR, and two RBIs.
• Robinson Cano is 5-12 (.417) with two RBIs.
• Xavier Nady is 4-6 with a double, a HR, and two RBIs.

Mark Teixeira is 3-8 with a double. The current Yankee roster is 49-158 (.310) off Millwood. They have twelve doubles, two triples, five HRs, and 17 RBIs.

Millwood (4-4, 3.12 ERA) has seven starts against the Yankees and it really hasn't been a great run against them. He is 1-4 in a total 42.1 innings. There are 46 hits, 24 runs (21 earned), and seven HRs during that time. He has walked ten and fanned 37. He has a respectable 4.46 ERA against them, so it almost feels like he hasn't really gotten the run support he should when he pitches against the Yanks. His last start against NY was in New York on July 1, 2008, where he pitched five innings to get a no-decision. The Rangers won that game, 3-2.

Rangers to Watch:

• Michael Young is 3-6 with a HR and three RBIs.
• Ian Kinsler is 2-4 with a double.
• Jarrod Saltalamacchia is 2-4 with a RBI.
• David Murphy is 1-3 with a HR and two RBIs.

Forecast: I like the Rangers in this one (surprised?) due to how Millwood is currently pitching and that Millwood's last start against the Yankees, he did quite well. I also like the Rangers due to the fact they got hammered yesterday (not drinking too much, but the 11-1 stomping they got from the Yanks). I don't see them get that kind of treatment two days in a row. Look for the Rangers to stomp the Yankees 9-4.

Home Plate