Texas @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 25, 2012 ) NY Yankees 3, Texas 7

David Phelps gets to step in and deal with the powerful Texas lineup first when the New York Yankees begin a four-game home series against the Rangers. Phelps is starting in place of Yankees ace CC Sabathia, who was placed on the disabled list with a sore elbow. Texas has a half-game lead over New York for best record in the American League. Rangers star Josh Hamilton leads the majors with 32 homers and 99 RBIs.

Texas has lost five consecutive contests in New York. The Rangers have rediscovered their offense by scoring 71 runs in 11 August games while going 8-3. Texas tallied just 81 runs in July. New York had a four-game winning streak snapped by Toronto on Sunday. The Yankees scored 22 runs while winning two of three from the Blue Jays. Robinson Cano hit his 25th homer of the campaign, making it four straight seasons in which he has 25 or more, while Derek Jeter is batting .375 during an eight-game hitting streak. The Rangers won two of three from New York in an April series held in Texas.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN2, Fox Sports Southwest (Texas), YES (New York), ESPN3.com

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Ryan Dempster (1-0, 6.35 ERA) vs. Yankees RH David Phelps (2-3, 2.42)

Dempster is making his third start since being acquired from the Chicago Cubs. He recorded his first Rangers victory in his last start when he didn’t allow an earned run in 6 2/3 innings against the Boston Red Sox. Dempster was rocked for eight runs in 4 2/3 by the Los Angeles Angels in his first start with Texas. He is 0-3 with a 6.45 ERA in four career starts against the Yankees.

Phelps is making his fourth start of the season and first since July 4. He struck out eight and allowed one run and two hits in 4 1/3 against the Tampa Bay Rays in that outing. Phelps has struck out 56 batters in 52 innings. He gave up three runs in 2 1/3 innings of relief against the Rangers earlier this season in his lone career appearance against Texas.

WALK-OFFS

1. Hamilton is batting .357 with three homers and 15 RBIs during a 10-game hitting streak.

2. The Yankees hope INF Eric Chavez (back) can return Monday after missing the series with Toronto.

3. Rangers C Mike Napoli and 1B Mitch Moreland homered off Phelps earlier this season.