AP Sports Preview ARLINGTON, Texas (Interstat) — The New York Yankees, owners of the best record in the American League at 18-10, open a three-game series against the Texas Rangers on Monday night at Globe Life Park. New York sends left-hander Max Fried (3-1) to the mound. Texas counters with right-hander Jack Leiter (1-1). Fried has been reliable for the Yankees, who have won eight of their last 10 games. Leiter will look to build on a quality start but faces a New York offense that has scored 24 runs over its last four games before Sunday. The Yankees are coming off a 7-4 loss at Houston on Sunday, snapping a five-game winning streak. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt went 2 for 4 with an RBI in that game. Reliever Paul Blackburn has been a key piece out of the bullpen, appearing in seven games this season. He threw three innings of one-run ball Sunday, allowing two hits with two strikeouts, and has allowed earned runs in only two of his last six outings. Over that span, he has compiled a 2.08 ERA across 8 2/3 innings. For Texas (14-14), right-hander Kumar Rocker has been one of the few bright spots in the rotation. Over his last two starts, Rocker has allowed three earned runs over 12 innings with eight strikeouts. He tossed six innings of two-run ball Sunday against Oakland, allowing six hits with three strikeouts, though the Rangers lost 2-1. Rocker is a candidate to start later in the series, but his recent form makes him a player to watch. The Rangers have lost four of their last six and have scored one run or fewer in three of their last four games. Texas’ bullpen has been solid, however, with Gavin Collyer and Peyton Gray each throwing a scoreless inning Sunday. New York is a -1.5 favorite, according to Interstat’s game simulator, which projects an 8-4 Yankees victory. The over/under is 8 runs. The series continues Tuesday and Wednesday before the Yankees head home to host Baltimore. Texas travels to Detroit after the series.