If the New York Yankees want to claim home-field advantage in the American League playoffs, they made a nice step forward Monday with a 8-2 victory against the Texas Rangers. The Yankees (68-47) will look to improve their cushion Tuesday, when Game 2 of the four-game series against the Rangers (67-47) will commence at Yankees Stadium (7:05 p.m. ET on YES Network).
Veteran Hiroki Kuroda (10-8) will take the mound for New York and oppose Texas' Matt Harrison (13-6). Recently, Kuroda has been a sure thing for the Yankees, as he's compiled a 1.82 ERA in his last five starts. Meanwhile, Harrison will try to improve his career 2-2 record and 4.76 ERA against New York.
For more on the Yankees vs. Rangers series, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. Meanwhile, for all your Yankees news, visit the SB Nation blog Pinstripe Alley.