On Deck will be here all season to provide you with everything you need to know (and a few things you don't) about every Rangers series during the 2016 season.
The Opponent: The Yankees have dropped seven of their last eight games as they deal with a banged up bullpen and an, let's be real, aging lineup.
Past Meetings: The Rangers won last year's season series 5-2, including a sweep in The Bronx last May.
Pitching Matchups: Monday — Nathan Eovaldi (0-2, 6.11 ERA) vs. Cesar Ramos (Rangers debut); Tuesday — Luis Severino (0-2, 4.86) vs. A.J. Griffin (2-0, 3.18); Wednesday — C.C. Sabathia (1-1, 5.28) vs. Martin Perez (0-2, 4.50).
What's Hot: Jacoby Ellsbury is batting .368 over the last six games with two RBIs. Despite missing high-priced closer Aroldis Chapman to suspension, the Yankees' bullpen is still solid with Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances, who have combined for six scoreless innings in the last week.
Ian Desmond is finally starting to settle in at the plate, and he's been the Rangers' hottest hitter over the last week or so. He's batting .421 with a .542 on-base percentage over the last six games to go with two homers and five RBIs. Adrian Beltre has continued his hot start by hitting .375 over the same time frame. Phil Klein rejoined the bullpen and has put up 2 1/3 scoreless innings in the last week.
What's Not: C.C. Sabathia failed to get out of the fifth inning in his last start, and two of the Yankees' biggest bats, Alex Rodriguez and Carlos Beltran, are both hitting under .200 over the last week.
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Martin Perez allowed five runs in his last start, which lasted just 5 2/3 innings, and the usually dynamite Sam Dyson allowed a big homer on Saturday to drop a game in extra innings. Delino DeShields is batting just .100 with no extra-base hits over the last five games and was also caught stealing over the weekend.
Familiar Faces: Two former Rangers, who were stars on the field and rather unpleasant as far as being team guys, will make their annual return to Globe Life Park in the form of Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira. They'll both be booed soundly in what is one of the safest bets in life.
