Baseball Odds – Texas Rangers at New York Yankees

Tonight the New York Yankees open a three-game series at home against the defending American League champions, the Texas Rangers.  Backed up by a strong arm on the stripe, the Rangers look to pick up where they left off last season…by defeating the Yankees.

Texas Rangers (9-3) at New York Yankees (7-4)
Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York
Friday, April 15 at 7:05 PM ET
TV: YES, KXTA
Baseball Odds: Texas +1.5, New York -1.5, Game Total: 9.5 runs

A key factor in addition to great bats that led the Rangers to the World Series last season was the strength of its starting pitching rotation.  Tonight, Texas sends Matt Harrison to the mound, who so far this season has made a surprising and important contribution to the team’s victories.

The Rangers have no fear of Yankee Stadium, taking two of three games there during the American League Championship Series last season. Tonight, Harrison looks to maintain his pitch count and solid throws, as he has held opponents to .143 on the season.

With two wins on the season, one of those on the road in Baltimore, Harrison has gotten 11 Ks along with only three walks.

On the other side of the ball, New York will send Ivan Nova to the mound tonight.  With one win on the season, Nova has a ballooning ERA of 6.10. So far, he has struggled with duration, lasting only four and one-third innings against the Red Sox last week.

MLB Pitching Matchup:

TEX M. Harrison (2-0, 1.29) vs. NYY I. Nova (1-0, 6.10)

The Rangers are coming off two losses, dropping two of three games in Detroit.  After an outstanding start at home, Texas has struggled a bit on the road. The Yankees, however, have won their last two outings and are 6-3 at home.

The Yankees are listed as the favorite for tonight’s game in the MLB Sportsbook, with the game total set at 9.5 runs.

Despite slumping play in Detroit, the Rangers are going into tonight’s matchup with the better pitcher.  The best bet for your Friday night MLB picks is Texas.

Baseball Betting Odds Pick – Texas Rangers +1.5!