Yankees (9-6) At Rangers (13-3): Preview, Game Time, TV Schedule, Pitching Matchup

After having some weekend fun at the expense of the bickering, bumbling Boston Red Sox the New York Yankees move on to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington for the serious business of a three-game series against the Texas Rangers, considered by many to be the best team in the American League.

The Rangers, in fact, have staked an early claim to that title with a 13-3 start that has them leading the American League West. The Rangers had a nine-game winning streak snapped Sunday when they lost to Detroit, 3-2.

- Weekly SB Nation New York MLB Power Rankings
- Yankees Minor League Prospects Update

The Yankees enter the series at 9-6, tied with the Toronto Blue Jays atop the American League East standings. Could this be an April preview of a September showdown for the American League pennant and a spot in the World Series? It is awfully early, but why not speculate a little? The Rangers are, after all, defending American League champions.

Pitching matchups for the series are as follows:

• Monday (7:05 p.m. ET/ MY9, ESPN); CC Sabathia (1-0, 5.59 ERA) vs. Derek Holland (2-0, 3.10)
• Tuesday (8:05 p.m. ET): Hiroki Kuroda (1-2, 5.00) vs. Yu Darvish (2-0, 3.57)
• Wednesday (8:05 p.m. ET): Phil Hughes (1-2, 6.75) vs. Scott Feldman 0-0, 0.00)

The Yankees are 9-3 over their last 12 games. Nick Swisher (AL-leading 20 RBI) and Derek Jeter (.382 batting average) have led the Yankee offense.

Josh Hamilton is hitting .418 with seven home runs and 17 RBI for Texas, and Michael Young is at .403.

-- See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees