Friday's Best MLB Mound Matchup
Phil Hughes, New York Yankees vs. Colby Lewis, Texas Rangers
Phil Hughes (18-8, 4.19 ERA)
The Yankees had all the momentum after a comeback victory in Game 1 at Texas, but Hughes could not give them a commanding lead in the series the following night. He went just four innings and gave up seven runs on 10 hits as the Rangers blasted New York 7-2.
Nonetheless, the Yankees should be confident in something different on Friday, and not just because they regained some semblance of momentum by winning Game 5 and extending the series back to Texas. Hughes, after all, was much better during the regular season. The right-hander compiled an 18-8 record and had a 4.19 ERA, unspectacular but solid by American League standards.
“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Hughes told the New York Post after Wednesday’s win. “My last one out was horrible, and I was just thankful that wasn’t my last opportunity of the season. I’m looking to turn in a better one.
“Obviously gameplan-wise, I’ll change a couple things because something wasn’t working the last time. But just try to stick with my gameplan and tweak a few things and get ready for Friday.”
Colby Lewis (12-13, 3.72 ERA)
Lewis was by no means dominant in Game 2, but he was easily good enough to beat Hughes and the Yankees. The righty lasted 5 2/3 innings and picked up the win after allowing two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out six.
It was just another commendable performance from Lewis, who did his job all season long. He recorded a stellar 3.72 ERA and 1.19 WHIP but only had a meager 12-13 mark to show for it. The difference is that the Rangers bats have come alive and Lewis got more than enough run support in Game 2, as did the Texas starters in Games 3 and 4.
“Command your pitches,” Lewis said when asked about the key to Game 6. “With any start, really, that's all you have to do to be successful is not walk guys and get outs. It doesn't matter if Jeter or a rookie; if you make a mistake they're going to take advantage of it, so you just have to be able to command your pitches, make pitches when you need to and that's about it.”
Catcher Benjie Molina is confident he will be behind the plate for an encore performance by his pitcher. “I don't know if it does, but it should,” he said when asked if the Game 2 experience will help Lewis. “He should pitch well; he should be rested. We'll see what happens.”
Yankees try to force Game 7 at Texas
By: Adam Markowitz
In order to come back from a 3-1 deficit in a series, you have to cut the lead in half and take it one game at a time. Without the services of 1B Mark Teixeira in the lineup, the New York Yankees managed to do just that in Game 5 Wednesday night in the Bronx, as they beat the Texas Rangers 7-2 and sent the American League Championship Series back to Arlington for Friday night's Game 6.
Six of the nine members of the New York lineup scored at least one run, while five of the nine knocked in at least one, as the Yanks played long ball with the Texas pitching staff on Wednesday. Nick Swisher, Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson all went yard, with Cano's blast his third in his last four games.
Yes, the Yankees finally looked like the Yankees for the first time in this series. They picked up nine hits, blasted three bombs, drew six walks, got six strong innings from southpaw CC Sabathia and nailed the door shut with three spotless frames from right-handers Kerry Wood and Mariano Rivera.
The Rangers had their chances though, outhitting the Bronx Bombers 13-9 in the game. However, the problem came with batting in scoring position, as Texas left a whopping 14 men on base over the course of the game. Shortstop Elvis Andrus led the way with three hits and a stolen base. Four of the top five batters in this lineup are still hitting at least .310 for the series.
The good news for Texas is that it is coming home, but the bad news is that it is just 1-3 so far in the postseason while playing there.
The one man that the Rangers took out though was the New York starter for Game 6, Phil Hughes. It marked the first time that Texas had beaten the right-hander in four career outings, as he was 2-0 with a perfect 0.00 ERA coming into the game. Hughes surrendered seven runs and 10 hits, walking three in just four horrifying innings of work in the Game 2 loss.
To make matters worse for Hughes, he did a horrible job holding base runners on. Both Andrus and Josh Hamilton swiped a pair of bases. The only man in the lineup that didn't reach base at least once against Hughes in Game 2 was DH Vladimir Guerrero.
Things were just awful for the Yankees that day, and Texas starter Colby Lewis pitched respectably. The righty allowed just two runs in 5 2/3 innings of work. He did walk three batters and gave up six hits, one of which was a solo homer to Cano.
Just as it was the first loss in Hughes' career against the Rangers, it was also the first win for this right-hander against the Yankees. Prior to this, Lewis was 0-2 with a 6.89 career ERA against the boys in pinstripes.
Lewis has now had seven straight starts with two earned runs or less, but his downfall is the distance in which he is able to go. He hasn't pitched into the seventh inning since September 21.
As was the case in Game 2, the MLB oddsmakers are having a tough time picking a favorite in this game. The best baseball money line you'll find on the board for the visitors is minus 108 at Bookmaker, while the best line as of Thursday afternoon on the hosts is 'even' at 5Dimes.
The 'total' has been lined at a flat nine across the board. Each of the five games in this series has featured at least eight runs, and 'over' bettors are 4-0-1 in the five clashes.
Lewis tries to pitch Rangers into World Series
By: Tim Walsh
NEW YORK YANKEES at TEXAS RANGERS
ALCS Game 6, Texas leads series 3-2
Friday, 8:05 p.m. EDT, Line: New York -115, Texas +105 Total: 9
The ALCS heads back to Arlington as the Rangers look to wrap things up and head to their first ever World Series. The pitching matchup is a rematch of Game 2 with Phil Hughes (18-8, 4.19 ERA) going up against Colby Lewis (12-13, 3.72 ERA).
Hughes had been dominant in his career against Texas (2-0, 0.00 ERA) until getting knocked around in Game 2. The right-hander surrendered seven runs on 10 hits and lasted just four innings as the Rangers won 7-2. The seven earned runs were the most Hughes had given up since May of 2009. His road numbers haven’t exactly been great this year, going 6-5 with a 4.25 ERA including that Game 2 start.
Lewis pitched well in Game 2, giving the Rangers 5.2 innings and allowing two runs on six hits while picking up the win. It was the first win in four attempts for Lewis in his career against the Yankees. He’s now 1-0 with a 2.30 ERA in his last three starts dating back to the regular season. Including the playoffs, Lewis has pitched well at home, going 7-4 with a 3.32 ERA. He’s given up two runs over 10.2 innings at home this postseason against the Rays and Yankees.
The following FoxSheets trends point toward a Texas victory:
Play On - Home teams when the money line is +125 to -125 (TEXAS) - with a starting pitcher whose strikes out 5 or more batters per start, with a hot starting pitcher- ERA less than 2.50 over his last 5 starts. (81-37 over the last 5 seasons.) (68.6%, +42 units. Rating = 3*).
Play On - Home underdogs with a money line of +100 or higher (TEXAS) - on a good fielding streak, 10 straight games with one or less errors, starting a pitcher who gave up <=2 earned runs in his last 2 outings. (69-47 over the last 5 seasons.) (59.5%, +34.5 units. Rating = 2*).
Tips and Trends
New York Yankees at Texas Rangers
YANKEES: 1 down, 2 to go. That's the new mantra of New York, as they attempt to come back from a 3-1 series deficit in the ALCS. The Yankees earned a 7-2 SU victory to push the series back to Texas. The Yankees have an opportunity to tie up the series before ultimately playing a potential Game 7 against Cliff Lee. The Yankees are -3.34 and +11.55 units both SU and on the RL overall this season. Right-hander Phil Hughes will make the critical road start tonight, as he is 19-9 SU with an ERA of 4.28 and a WHIP of 1.27 this year. The Yankees are 5-1 in their last 6 games as a road favorite. New York is 5-2 in their last 7 playoff road games overall. The Yankees are 2-6 in their last 8 games against the American League West. New York is 1-4 in their last 5 games against a right-handed starter. The Yankees are 5-1 in Hughes' last 6 starts with 5 days of rest. New York is 0-4 in Hughes' last 4 road starts against a team with a winning record.
Yankees are 5-1 last 6 games following an off day.
Over is 15-5-1 last 21 overall.
Key Injuries - None Reported.
Projected Score: 5 (SIDE of the Day)
RANGERS: (-105, O/U 9) Texas might be coming off a loss, but losing in New York to a Yankees team facing elimination is nothing to be ashamed of. Fact is, Texas still has 2 opportunities to advance to their first ever World Series. Texas is +1.37 and -17.42 units both SU and on the RL respectively this season. Pitcher Colby Lewis will make the Game 6 home start tonight, as he is 13-13 SU with an ERA of 3.61 and a WHIP of 1.20 this year. The Rangers are 5-1 in their last 6 games following a loss. Texas is 13-5 in their last 18 games against a team with a winning record. The Rangers are 5-2 in their last 7 games as an underdog. Texas is 2-6 in their last 8 home games against a right-handed starter. The Rangers are 1-6 in their last 7 games as a home underdog. Texas is 5-11 in Lewis' last 16 starts overall. The Rangers are 3-14 in Lewis' last 17 starts with 5 days of rest.
Rangers are 11-4 last 15 games against the American League East.
Over is 3-0-1 last 4 games as an underdog.
Key Injuries - RF Nelson Cruz (hamstring) is probable.
Projected Score: 3
MLB Preview
Friday, October 22
Rangers are just 1-3 at home so far in playoffs, but can go to the World Series for first time ever with win here. Hughes is 2-3, 5.25 in his last six starts- he gave up seven runs in four IP in Game 2. Lewis is 2-1, 2.14 in his last four starts- he beat Bronx 7-2 in Game 2, allowing two runs in 5.2 IP. Only games Bronx won in series were the two Sabathia started; interesting to see if another pitcher can step and keep them alive here.