Major League Baseball

GAME 4 SCOUTING REPORT

Published Oct. 20, 2010 10:16 p.m. ET

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Rangers starter RHP Tommy Hunter (13-4, 3.73 ERA): Hunter lasted only four innings in his Game 4 start during the division series. Though he did not allow a walk, he was hit hard, giving up four extra-base hits. Hunter was a vastly different pitcher on the road than at home this season. He was 7-0 with a 3.06 ERA at home; on the road, 6-4, with a 4.48 ERA. Hunter allowed the Yankees a pair of runs in five innings on Sept. 11 in a game in which he got no decision, but that the Rangers won.

Key matchup: Though Hunter held lefties in check pretty well this season (he allowed a .272 batting average), the five batters who will hit left-handed tonight are 7-for-19 (.368) against him.

Yankees starter RHP A.J. Burnett (10-15, 5.26 ERA): Burnett, who did not appear during the division series, is pitching for the first time in nearly three weeks. Over his last 12 starts, which included starts in two losses in Arlington, Burnett compiled a 6.61 ERA and allowed hitters a .300 batting average. He allowed five runs on 10 hits in 11 innings during those Arlington starts. He did, however, beat the Rangers in New York in April with what may have been his best start of the year. He went seven innings, allowed six hits and no runs and struck out seven.

Key matchup: Against the heart of the Rangers' lineup - from No. 2 hitter Michael Young through No. 6 hitter Ian Kinsler - Burnett has allowed a .228 career average (31-for-136). Those players have hit six homers in those at-bats.

Evan Grant

TODAY'S PITCHERS

TV/ 2010 Last three starts Pitchers Time W-L ERA W-L IP ERA Tex. Hunter (R) TBS 13-5 3.75 1-1 14.1 2.51 at NY Burnett (R) 7:05 10-15 5.26 0-2 11.1 7.94