Yankees vs. Rangers: August 2025 Series Preview

The New York Yankees (60-52, third in the AL East) and Texas Rangers (58-55, third in the AL West) are gearing up for an exciting two-game series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, starting August 5, 2025. This matchup brings together two teams fighting for postseason contention, with the Yankees holding a wild card spot and the Rangers looking to close the gap in their division. With a rich history of competitive games and key players on both sides, this series promises high-stakes baseball.

Game Schedule

• Game 1: Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 8:05 PM ET (YES Network)
• Game 2: Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 2:35 PM ET (RSN)

Recent Team Performance

New York Yankees

The Yankees enter this series with a 60-52 record, sitting third in the AL East and holding a wild card spot. However, their momentum has been shaky, having dropped two consecutive series, including a 14-7 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on August 3, 2025. Despite these setbacks, the Yankees boast a potent lineup led by Aaron Judge, who leads the majors with 51 home runs and 123 RBIs, though he is currently sidelined with a right flexor strain and placed on the 10-day injured list as of July 27, 2025. Juan Soto remains a key contributor, hitting .291 with 37 homers and 109 walks, showcasing his plate discipline.

Max Fried (12-4, 2.62 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 125 strikeouts) is expected to start Game 1 on the mound, continuing his strong season. The Yankees’ pitching staff has been hit by injuries, with reliever Fernando Cruz on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation and several others, including DJ LeMahieu (calf strain), Jazz Chisholm (oblique strain), and Marcus Stroman (knee inflammation), also sidelined. Despite these challenges, the Yankees have shown resilience, winning 11 of their last 14 games earlier this season, including a three-game sweep over the Rangers in May 2025.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers, with a 58-55 record, are third in the AL West, 2.5 games out of first place. They’ve been on a hot streak at home, riding a six-game home winning streak into this series. The Rangers recently swept the Rockies and split a four-game series with the Astros, holding Houston to just 12 runs. Their offense is powered by Wyatt Langford (9 HRs), Josh Jung (.282 BA, 7 HRs), Josh Smith (.303 BA), and Adolis García (24 RBIs). Corey Seager leads with 30 home runs and a .276 batting average.

Patrick Corbin (6-7, 3.78 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 93 strikeouts) is slated to start Game 1, coming off a solid outing against Colorado where he allowed three runs over six innings. The Rangers’ pitching staff has been bolstered by Jacob deGrom, who recently became the fastest pitcher to reach 1,800 career strikeouts, and Nathan Eovaldi, named the team’s Player of the Month for July. However, Jon Gray remains on the 60-day injured list due to a fractured wrist.

Historical Context

The Yankees and Rangers have a storied rivalry, with 182 games played since 1993. The Yankees lead the head-to-head with 106 wins to the Rangers’ 76, averaging 5.0 runs per game to the Rangers’ 4.6. In their most recent series in May 2025 at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees swept the Rangers, including a 5-2 win on May 20, powered by Aaron Judge’s two-run homer and rookie Will Warren’s 10 strikeouts, and a 1-0 shutout on May 22, where Carlos Rodón’s six scoreless innings and Jorbit Vivas’ first career homer sealed the victory.

Over the years, the teams have split results, with notable games including the Rangers’ 15-2 rout on April 30, 2023, and the Yankees’ 14-7 win on September 27, 2019. The sports card above lists additional historical games, showing a competitive balance with the Yankees winning 20 of the last 35 matchups since 2017.

Key Players to Watch

• Yankees: Without Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Jorbit Vivas will be critical. Soto’s on-base ability and Vivas’ emerging power could drive the offense. Max Fried’s precision on the mound will be key to containing the Rangers’ bats.
• Rangers: Corey Seager and Wyatt Langford are offensive threats, while Patrick Corbin’s recent form could challenge the Yankees’ depleted lineup. Jacob deGrom’s return adds depth to the pitching staff.

How to Watch

Fans can catch Game 1 on YES Network at 8:05 PM ET and Game 2 on RSN at 2:35 PM ET. For streaming, Fubo and DirecTV Stream offer MLB.tv for out-of-market access, and SiriusXM provides audio coverage with a Platinum or Streaming Platinum plan. A VPN like NordVPN may help bypass broadcast restrictions for out-of-state viewers.

Outlook

The Yankees face challenges with injuries but have the edge in historical matchups and a strong starter in Max Fried. The Rangers, buoyed by their home winning streak and offensive depth, are poised to capitalize on their momentum. With both teams vying for postseason positioning, this series could be a pivotal moment in their 2025 campaigns.