Jordan Montgomery Gets The Start For The Finale As New York Takes On Texas

Jordan Montgomery will start the finale for Joe Girardi and New York in Arlington against Texas.

Right-hander A.J. Griffin will be on the mound for the Rangers against rookie left-hander Jordan Montgomery for the Yankees when the two teams close out their three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Globe Life Park. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170909253381706/montgomery-griffin-to-square-off-in-finale/?game_pk=492240

Montgomery, making his first start against the Rangers, will be looking for his first win since late July, as he is 0-2 with a 5.06 ERA in his past six starts. He also hasn't pitched six complete innings since allowing one run in 6 2/3 frames in a 4-2 win over the Reds on July 25. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170909253381706/montgomery-griffin-to-square-off-in-finale/?game_pk=492240

The Yankees have been monitoring Montgomery's workload closely as they did with Luis Severino as a rookie in 2015. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170909253381706/montgomery-griffin-to-square-off-in-finale/?game_pk=492240

"I would love to get six innings out of him," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He hasn't been stretched out as much lately because we've been trying to conserve a little bit. We'll go inning by inning with him, but he's pitched well for us. We've had more concerns about his innings than we did about [Severino's], but we've kind of managed it, and it's been a pretty good situation." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170909253381706/montgomery-griffin-to-square-off-in-finale/?game_pk=492240

Griffin will be making his first start since allowing two runs in 5 2/3 innings against the Angels on Sept 2. The Rangers used a rainout last Tuesday and an off-day on Thursday to shuffle their rotation. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170909253381706/montgomery-griffin-to-square-off-in-finale/?game_pk=492240

"I'm just going to try and be as ready as I can," Griffin said. "I threw a bullpen on the off-day. I tried to stay on schedule like that. It is what it is. You just try to go out there and help the team win." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170909253381706/montgomery-griffin-to-square-off-in-finale/?game_pk=492240

Griffin is 3-0 with a 2.37 ERA in five career starts against the Yankees, although he will be facing them for the first time since July 30, 2016. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170909253381706/montgomery-griffin-to-square-off-in-finale/?game_pk=492240

Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos and first baseman Mike Napoli are both expected back in the starting lineup Sunday. On Saturday, Chirinos had the day off, and Napoli struck out in his pinch-hit appearance. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170909253381706/montgomery-griffin-to-square-off-in-finale/?game_pk=492240

 Jacoby Ellsbury is 1-for-14 in his career against Griffin, a .071 batting average that is his lowest against any right-handed pitcher with a minimum of ten at-bats. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170909253381706/montgomery-griffin-to-square-off-in-finale/?game_pk=492240

 Montgomery has had trouble with the No. 7 hitter in the opposing lineup. They are hitting .321 off him with a .679 slugging percentage, the second highest such mark in the American League. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170909253381706/montgomery-griffin-to-square-off-in-finale/?game_pk=492240

As for New York and Texas last game, New York beat Texas. 

Game two of this three game series was a lot like the first game when Texas rallied but this time it was the road team that rallied and won the game to even up the series. 

After a dazzling pitching duel, the Yankees pushed across two runs in the top of the ninth to knock off the Rangers, 3-1, on Saturday afternoon at Globe Life Park. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253381588/yankees-rally-late-to-top-rangers-after-duel/

The Yankees trailed, 1-0, after seven before rallying and reinforcing their hold on the lead in the American League Wild Card race. The Rangers are five back of the Yankees while both teams awaited results of other games later on Saturday. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253381588/yankees-rally-late-to-top-rangers-after-duel/

Starlin Castro started the Yankees' rally with a single against Alex Claudio, and he was forced out at second on Aaron Judge's grounder. Jacoby Ellsbury's single to right put runners on first and third, prompting Rangers manager Jeff Banister to bring in right-hander Ricardo Rodriguez. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253381588/yankees-rally-late-to-top-rangers-after-duel/

But Rodriguez hit Todd Frazier to load the bases, and Tyler Austin singled to left to bring home the go-ahead run. Brett Gardner popped out before Rodriguez walked Chase Headley to force in another run. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253381588/yankees-rally-late-to-top-rangers-after-duel/

"To be honest, I was just trying to calm myself down," Austin said. "I was a little nervous walking up there, but once I saw the first pitch, I calmed myself down. I was just trying to get something and not try to do too much with it." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253381588/yankees-rally-late-to-top-rangers-after-duel/

Both starters were outstanding for seven innings while being charged with just one run. Severino allowed just one hit and three walks while striking out 10. It's the fifth time in 28 starts he has struck out at least 10 in a game. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253381588/yankees-rally-late-to-top-rangers-after-duel/

"Their pitchers just shut us down," Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus said. "It's like I told the guys, you have to tip your cap. They made good pitches. They are power pitchers when they're throwing like that, it's tough to hit. Don't worry about it, have a short memory and get ready for tomorrow." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253381588/yankees-rally-late-to-top-rangers-after-duel/

Rangers starter Andrew Cashner took a 1-0 lead into the eighth, but he led off the inning by hitting Frazier. Manager Jeff Banister then went to Claudio, but a single by Matt Holliday and a sacrifice fly by Headley tied the score. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253381588/yankees-rally-late-to-top-rangers-after-duel/

"I mean, you feel like it's a close game, one hit could change the complexion of the game," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "There were a couple really big hits in this game, one was by Matt Holliday, the pinch-hit, and the good baserunning by Frazier to get to third and create that run for us." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253381588/yankees-rally-late-to-top-rangers-after-duel/

Severino took a no-hitter into the fifth inning, but Brett Nicholas came through with a two-out double that brought home Will Middlebrooks from first base. Joey Gallo led off the inning by drawing a walk and Middlebrooks forced him out with a grounder to third base. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253381588/yankees-rally-late-to-top-rangers-after-duel/

Aroldis Chapman entered in the ninth inning and earned his 17th save of the season, his first since Aug. 15 after being removed from the closer role on Aug. 19. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253381588/yankees-rally-late-to-top-rangers-after-duel/

Gardner led off the game with a single to center for the Yankees, bringing up Headley. Gardner was running on a 1-0 pitch as Headley hit a pop to shallow right-center, and Gardner never stopped running. But center fielder Carlos Gomez raced in to make a nice running catch before doubling off Gardner at first base. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253381588/yankees-rally-late-to-top-rangers-after-duel/

Gomez exited in the second after rolling his right ankle, and an MRI taken later on revealed a mild sprain. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253381588/yankees-rally-late-to-top-rangers-after-duel/

Banister pulled Cashner after he hit Frazier with a pitch. Cashner had thrown 99 pitches, and he retired seven straight before hitting Frazier. Banister brought in Claudio to face Greg Bird, but Girardi countered with Holliday as a right-handed pinch-hitter. Holliday singled to right, moving Frazier to third. He scored on Headley's sacrifice fly. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253381588/yankees-rally-late-to-top-rangers-after-duel/

Castro started the Yankees' ninth-inning rally with a single and Judge followed with a grounder right at Middlebrooks. It should have been an inning-ending double play, but second baseman Rougned Odor's relay to first pulled Gallo off the bag. Judge ended up being safe. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253381588/yankees-rally-late-to-top-rangers-after-duel/

"You would like to get that double play turned," Banister said. "We turn the double play, we are out of that." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253381588/yankees-rally-late-to-top-rangers-after-duel/

My job is to go out there and give us a chance to win every fifth day. That's a tough team over there. They're ahead of us. I was just trying to match what Severino was doing, just get us back in the dugout to swing." -- Cashner "according to totohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253381588/yankees-rally-late-to-top-rangers-after-duel/

Andrus led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a high chopper over the mound. Castro made the play, and his throw just beat Andrus at first. The Rangers appealed, but the call was confirmed. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253381588/yankees-rally-late-to-top-rangers-after-duel/

With the win, New York improves to 76- 65 and is now 4 1/2 games back of their rival Boston who is leading the American League East with a record of 81-61. 

 Left-hander Jordan Montgomery will get the start for New York. He has a record of with a 4.14 earn run average. Montgomery went 4 2/3 innings Monday in Baltimore and held the Orioles to two earned runs on five hits. The rookie left-hander has only pitched into the sixth inning once since July 25.  He will go up against Texas right-hander A.J Griffin who has a record of 6-5 with a 5.09 earn run average. Griffin is 2-3 with a 4.20 earn run average in five starts since a disabled list stint. He was out for more than two months with an intercostal muscle strain. He will be making his first start against the Yankees in 17 and is 3-0 with a 2.37 earn run average in 5 starts against them. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-rangers/2017/09/10/492240#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492240

Will Jordan Montgomery pitch like he did in his last outing against Baltimore where he only gave up two earned runs on five hits? Will the Texas offense be able to get their offense going against the rookie? Will New York be able to get their offense going against A.J. Griffin? Will New York have to rally again to win the game like they did on Saturday when Luis Severino was pitching for New York?

First pitch is set for 3:05 pm. The game will be televised on Yes and FSSW. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-rangers/2017/09/10/492240#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492240