The Texas Rangers won the opener of a three-game series with the New York Yankees in a spectacular fashion Monday night. The Rangers scored four runs at the top of the ninth following a three and a half hour long rain delay to steal the game 9-6. A huge morale-booster that I think will carry Texas to another win in the Bronx tonight.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Yankees hand the ball to CC Sabathia (5-4, 2.71). The left-hander is coming off his worst start of the year when he was reached for six runs (five earned) in 4 1/3 innings against the Rockies. Sabathia allowed three runs on five hits and three walks in six innings in a loss at Texas on April 27 and the current Rangers are batting a combined .291 against him. The Rangers counter with Cole Hamels (8-1, 2.79 ERA), another left-hander. The 32 year old is 3-0 in his last three turns with only a total of a pair of earned runs surrendered in 20 1/3 innings of work.

2. Situational - The Rangers have won 13 of their past 16 on the road and they're 5-2 in their last seven games against a left-handed starter.

3. X-Factor - Texas has scored a total of 38 runs during a 4-1 stretch.

Selection: This is a play on the Texas Rangers (10*)