What team in their right mind would actually want to run into ace Cliff Lee in the playoffs? The Yankees sure do, that would mean that they have extended this series to a Game 7 after trailing 3-1. To get to Lee and a Game 7 the Yankees will need to win at Texas Friday night at 8 p.m. EST.

The Yankee bats came alive in Game 5, putting up seven runs, their most of these playoffs, in a 7-2 season-saving win over Texas. The Rangers had won three in a row in the series after the Yankees comeback win in Game 1.

The Yankees are without Mark Teixeira (hamstring), but Robinson Cano has continued on his torrid pace in the playoffs (4 HR, 6 RBI, .387 batting average), as has Curtis Granderson (1 HR, 6 RBI, .385 batting average). But New York knows if it is going to climb out of the 3-1 hole it will need production from its stars, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. Both are starting to ignite offensively.

The Rangers badly wanted to close this series out on the road, and not just for the obvious reasons. Texas has struggled at home. In the playoffs they are 1-3 playing in Arlington, compared to their 5-1 record on the road.

The Texas offense has been led by Nelson Cruz (4 HR, 6 RBI, .378 batting average) and Bengie Molina (2 HR, 7 RBI, .385). Josh Hamilton and Vladimir Guerrero have remained inconsistent but Hamilton does have game-changing ability as evidenced by his four home runs in these playoffs.

Yankees vs. Rangers Game 6 Pitching Matchup
Phil Hughes (RHP, 18-8, 4.19 ERA) vs. Colby Lewis (RHP, 12-13, 3.72 ERA)
The Yankees hope they have regular season Phil Hughes and not the playoff version that was tagged for seven runs in four innings against the Rangers in Game 2 of the ALCS. The Rangers hope for more of the same from Colby Lewis, who is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA in his two playoff starts including the win opposite of Hughes in Game 2.
 
Yankees vs. Rangers Odds
The Yankees are slight road-favorites. They are listed at -108 with the home-standing Rangers priced a -102. The total for Game 6 is set at 9. MLB Playoff odds are courtesy of BetUS.

Yankees vs. Rangers Betting Trends
Yankees are 5-1 in their last six games following an off day
Yankees are 5-1 in their last six games as a road favorite
Yankees are 1-4 in Hughes’ last five road starts
Rangers are 1-6 in their last seven games as a home underdog
‘Over’ is 4-0-1 in the last five meetings
Rangers are 6-2 in the last eight meetings (4-1 at home)

Yankees vs. Rangers MLB Picks and Baseball Predictions
The series shifts back to Texas and the pressure shifts to Texas. Looking ahead, Texas realizes that Game 6 is must win if it wants to preserve Lee for Game 1 of the World Series. But the Rangers cannot afford to look ahead past this dangerous Yankees lineup that is finally playing up to expectations. Look for the home woes to continue for Texas and for the Yankees to push the ALCS to a Game 7. The pick is the Yankees.