3 Game Set a True Texas Test

What Nolan Ryan has done in Texas is truly impressive.  He's taken his fire throwing Hall of Fame career and infused his mindset into a quality ball club.  The Rangers can flat out rake.  Guys like Hamilton, Young, and Napoli are offensive juggernauts. Currently, they have 6 position players hitting over .300 and are sporting a healthy 13-3 record. 

The Yanks will put out their 'alleged' top 3 in CC, Kuroda, and Hughes.  CC will have to be 5th inning CC very early or this team will punish him.  He needs to establish his fastball and deliver a performance to set the tone for the series.  Hiroki Kuroda goes Tuesday against fellow countryman Yu Darvish, which will be a Japanese media frenzy.  The experienced hurler versus the up and comer could be a good matchup if he pitches as well as he did at the home opener.  Finally, Phil Hughes will close out the set.  This is scary.  He needs to miss more bats and bring it to stay in the rotation.  Another battering could be psychologically difficult on him, and the Rangers do not need any additional confidence against the AL East Yankees. 

No doubt the Yankees bats will need to stay hot down in Texas to come away with a series victory.  These games could be high scoring and the Yanks will need to do whatever possible to get their pitchers settled in with some run support and early.  All in, it should be a good display of two teams playing very well.  Taking 2 out of 3 in Texas would be a great early season accomplishment.  Let's hope the Yanks  get a couple Ws.