And now for some help in planning your homestand activities. Oakland follows the Yankees in over the weekend, starting with a double-header on Friday.

Monday: Rangers vs. Yankees, 1:05 p.m. (KRLD-105.3 FM, FOX SW)

Starting pitchers: Rangers LHP Matt Harrison (4-3, 4.71 ERA) vs. RHP Phil Hughes (2-2, 7.06)

Worth noting: The Rangers won the short season series with the Yankees last year, 4-3. It was the first time since 2003 the Rangers have won the season series. The Rangers were 2-2 against the Yankees in Arlington last year. Marlon Byrd’s walk-off grand slam on August 4 ended a 10-game home losing streak against the Yankees. While this three-game series is the Yankees only Arlington visit of the year, the Rangers will go to new Yankee Stadium twice.

Promotions/Giveaways: Bud Light Texas Artist Brandon Rhyder Pre-Game Concert (11 a.m., North Lawn; free admission with game ticket)

Ticket deals: All You Can Eat Seats in Upper Home Run Porch include all you can eat grilled chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, nachos, peanuts, popcorn, and soft drinks served in the enclosed, air-conditioned Upper Home Run Porch Grill.  All for only $39 at texasrangers.com.

Tuesday: Rangers vs. Yankees, 7:05 p.m. (KRLD-105.3 FM, Ch. 27)

Starting pitchers: Rangers RHP Kevin Millwood (4-4, 3.12 ERA) vs. RHP Joba Chamberlain (2-1, 3.70)

Worth noting: Counting a 1999 World Series start, Millwood is just 1-5 with a 5.08 ERA for his career against the Yankees. The Rangers did, however, win his only start against the Yankees last year on July 1 when he held New York to a run on five hits in five innings at Yankee Stadium. Each of Millwood’s last four starts against the Yankees qualified as quality starts. Millwood is 3-1 with a 2.10 ERA at home this season; the only loss was his complete-game duel against Kansas City’s Zack Greinke (a 2-0 Rangers loss).

Promotions/Giveaways: None.

Ticket deals: texasrangers.com e-saver. Enter 2NDBASE as the coupon code on texasrangers.com to purchase Grandstand Reserved tickets for only $6 in honor of Ian Kinsler’s 6-for-6 cycle on April 15.  You’ll save $5 per ticket.

Wednesday: Rangers vs. Yankees, 7:05 p.m. (KRLD-105.3 FM, FOX SW)

Starting pitchers: Rangers LHP Derek Holland (1-1, 4.82 ERA) vs. RHP A.J. Burnett (2-1, 5.28)

Worth noting: Now that Alex Rodriguez has acknowledged using steroids while a member of the Rangers, but said he stopped the minute he left Texas,  it’s interesting to look at how his performance in Arlington has changed over the years. As a member of the Seattle Mariners from 1994-2000 (when he was supposedly clean), he hit .330 in the ballpark with a .981 on-base-plus-slugging percentage (OPS) and he averaged a homer every 14.7 at-bats. As a Ranger, he hit .333 in the park with a 1.082 OPS and averaged a homer every 10.9 at-bats. But since leaving the Rangers, he’s hit only .286 with with an .834 OPS and averaged a homer every 28 at-bats in 22 games as a Yankee.

Promotions/Giveaways: None.

Ticket deals: Diamond Club Combo. Enjoy dinner at the Rangers game for only $10 extra when you purchase a Diamond Club Combo Ticket.  Your ticket will include fine dining, buffet style, in the air-conditioned Diamond Club.  Seats are available in five price levels, starting at only $35, here.

And now, as promised, this helpful parking/traffic press release from the Rangers, originally released Thursday:

The Texas Rangers and the City of Arlington Police Department today announced detailed parking and traffic information for Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, when the Rangers begin a seven-game homestand by facing the New York Yankees at 1:05 p.m.

“As the construction continues on I-30 and the access roads around Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, we want to reiterate to our fans the best routes to the game,” commented Rangers Executive Vice President of Ballpark Operations Rob Matwick. “In addition to our game against the Yankees on Memorial Day, Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor will also be open, and we are encouraging fans to allow extra travel time to the ballpark on Monday.”

Memorial Day Parking and Traffic Information:

Arrive Early: Rangers parking lots will open at 9:00 a.m., and the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington gates will open at 10:00 a.m.

Pre-Game Concert: Bud Light Texas Artist Brandon Rhyder will perform a pre-game concert on the North Lawn of Rangers Ballpark beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Monday. The concert is open free to all fans holding tickets to Monday’s Rangers-Yankees game.

Cash Parking: The majority of the cash parking lots are located on the north side of Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Limited cash lots are available on the back ends of Season Lots A, B, and C on the south side on Rangers Ballpark.

Roads to Avoid: Green Oaks Blvd. just west of Highway 360, Randol Mill Road between Highway 360 and Great Southwest Parkway, and Collins Street between Lamar Blvd. and Copeland Road/Eastbound I-30 frontage road are under construction and should be avoided.

I-30 Connections to the West: Fans from west of Rangers Ballpark may once again exit Nolan Ryan Expressway, in addition to Fielder Road, Cooper Street, and Collins Street.  Fans should visit texasrangers.com/directions to plan the best route to the parking lots.  Please note that Copeland Road continues to flow eastbound only, a change that began in August 2008.

On the return home, I-30 westbound entrances remained closed at Ballpark Way and Collins Street.  Recommended routes are traveling west on Road to Six Flags, Randol Mill Road, or Division Street to Center Street; or west on Randol Mill Road, Division Street., or Lamar Blvd. to Cooper Street. or Fielder Road. Fans are urged to review texasrangers.com/directions prior to coming to the game.

Added Lane on I-30: The HOV lane on I-30 will be open westbound from Dallas beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Monday morning to help the traffic flow. In addition, the HOV lane on I-30 will be open eastbound towards Dallas beginning at 3:00 p.m. to help the flow of post-game traffic.

Lexus Valet: Please note that Lexus Valet Parking, available on the north, east, and south sides of Rangers Ballpark, is expected to reach capacity early on Memorial Day.

Updated Information: Throughout the season, Texas Department of Transportation upgrades to I-30 and Arlington Entertainment District improvements will continue in Arlington impacting routes and traffic flow.  Fans are encouraged to visit texasrangers.com/directions for current maps and specific routes by parking lot or call the Rangers Parking Hotline at 972-PARKING. Fans may also receive updated traffic and parking information at www.arlingtontx.gov or www.arlingtonpd.org.

Friday: Rangers vs. Angels, 7:05 p.m. (KRLD-105.3 FM, FOX SW)

Probable starters: Rangers RHP Kevin Millwood (3-3, 2.92 ERA) vs. Angels LHP Joe Saunders (5-1, 2.66)

Worth noting: The Rangers lost out on CF Torii Hunter when he was a free agent after the 2007 season and the Prosper resident has never let Texas forget. Hunter hit .333 against the Rangers last year (thanks, James). This season, with OF Vladimir Guerrero on the DL, Hunter has extended his dominance to the rest of the league as well. He enters the series seventh in the AL in on-base-plus-slugging percentage (1.007).

Giveaways/Promotions: Big Bang Friday Fireworks (Best of Broadway music)

Ticket deals: FANtastic Fireworks Fridays. Enter FIREWORKS as the coupon code on texasrangers.com to purchase tickets regularly-priced up to $25 for only $10.  Plus, all cash parking will be just $5.  Offer is also available in person at Rangers Ballpark or via phone at 972-RANGERS, all compliments of 105.3 The Fan.

Saturday: Rangers vs. Angels, 3:10 p.m. (KRLD-1080 AM, Ch. 4)

Probable starters: Rangers RHP Vicente Padilla (2-2, 4.97 ERA) vs. RHP John Lackey (first 2009 start)

Worth noting: Padilla is the first pitcher in Rangers history to have consecutive starts of at least seven innings and allow one or fewer hits in both of them. It’s not likely that streak will continue. Though Padilla is 4-3 against the Angels since he joined the Rangers in 2006, Los Angeles has a .316 batting average against him.

Giveaways/promotions: MCA Josh Hamilton Bobblehead (First 20,000); Robert Earl Keen Post-Game Concert.

Ticket deals: Coca-Cola Total Family Tickets. Get four tickets, four jumbo hot dogs, four Coke soft drinks, and one general parking pass, starting at only $15 per person.  Plus, kids 13 & under receive unlimited play in the Sports Park.  Save 50% and choose from three seating areas – Upper Reserved, Lower Reserved, and Corner Box.  Additional persons may be added (over the minimum of four, one parking pass for each four tickets).

Sunday: Rangers vs. Angels, 1:05 p.m. (KRLD-1080 AM, FOX SW)

Probable starters: Rangers RHP Scott Feldman (2-0, 4.85 ERA) vs. RHP Jered Weaver (3-1, 2.45)

Worth noting: Feldman allowed three homers in five innings as a reliever, but has not allowed a home run since moving into the starting rotation (a total of 23 innings). The only AL starter to currently have more innings than Feldman without allowing a homer is Kansas City’s Zack Greinke, who hasn’t allowed a homer in 53 innings this season.

Giveaways/Promotions: Dr Pepper Ian Kinsler Jersey (First 7,500, 13 & under); Drumstick $1 Ice Cream Sunday (13 & under)

Ticket deals: Dr Pepper Half-Price Tickets. Bring any Dr Pepper or Diet Dr Pepper can to Rangers Ballpark or enter DRPEPPER as the coupon code on texasrangers.com to purchase half-price tickets in Upper Reserved, Upper Box, Lexus Club Terrace, or Lower Reserved.

Tuesday: Rangers vs. Mariners, 7:05 p.m. (KRLD-105.3 FM, FOX SW)

Probable starters: Rangers RHP Scott Feldman (2-0, 5.79 ERA) vs. LHP Jason Vargas (1-0, 0.00)

Worth noting: Since moving into the starting rotation, Feldman has a 3.24 ERA. Feldman, however, is seeking his first win at home as a starter in more than a year. He beat Oakland on May 9, 2008. Since then, Feldman is 0-3 at home as a starter; the Rangers are 1-10 in those games although he has qualified for a quality start in five of them and pitched at least six innings in eight of them.

Giveaways/Promotions: None.

Ticket deals: Free Kid Tuesday. Tickets for kids 13 and under are free in all seating sections, excluding All You Can Eat Seats.  One free child ticket is available with every full-price adult ticket purchased.

Wednesday: Rangers vs. Mariners, 7:05 p.m. (KRLD-105.3 FM, FOX SW)

Probable starters: Rangers RHP Brandon McCarthy (3-1, 6.10 ERA) vs. LHP Jarrod Washburn (3-2, 2.68)

Worth noting: The Rangers are facing the second of back-to-back left-handed pitchers in Washburn. One of the surprises of this season has been the Rangers success against lefties because it was such a concern going into the year. The Rangers were just 21-31 against lefties last year and entered the season with what looked to be a lineup too heavy on left-handed hitters. The Rangers, however, enter the Mariners series hitting .297 against lefties, which ranks third in the AL. 2B Ian Kinsler leads all AL hitters with a .463 batting average against lefties; C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who entered the season with a career .199 average against lefties is hitting .333 (8-for-24); And the addition of DH-OF Andruw Jones, who is hitting .292 with a 1.018 on-base-plus-slugging percentage vs. lefties (21^st in the AL), has helped make the middle of the order more formidable.

Giveaways/Promotions: Dollar Hot Dog Night. Dr Pepper Autograph Wednesday (Main concourse, 5:45-6:15 p.m., players to be determined).

Ticket deals: Ozarka Website Wednesday. Tickets are half price in select areas regularly priced up to $45 when purchased on texasrangers.com.

Thursday: Rangers vs. Mariners, 1:05 p.m. (KRLD-105.3 FM, FOX SW)

Probable starters: Rangers LHP Matt Harrison (3-2, 4.79 ERA) vs. RHP Felix Hernandez (4-2, 4.09)

Worth noting: Harrison will once again be teamed with C Taylor Teagarden as the duo tries to extend their impressive 21-inning scoreless streak together. They allowed four runs in the first two innings of their first start together on April 27 at Baltimore, then went the next five innings of that game scoreless, followed by shutout innings against Chicago on May 3. In Harrison’s last start he threw a complete game shutout against the White Sox Friday. He became the fastest pitcher in Rangers history to record two complete game shutouts (he also did it against Oakland last year). He has two in 21 major league starts.

Giveaways/Promotions: CBS 11 Weather Day, Rangers Yearbooks (All Fans)

Ticket deals: All You Can Eat Seats. All You Can Eat Seats in Upper Home Run Porch include all you can eat grilled chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, nachos, peanuts, popcorn, and soft drinks served in the enclosed, air-conditioned Upper Home Run Porch Grill.  All for only $34 at texasrangers.com.

Tuesday: Rangers vs. Oakland, 7:05 (KRLD-105.3 FM, Ch. 27)

Probable starters: Rangers RHP Kevin Millwood (1-2, 2.10 ERA) vs. LHP Brett Anderson (0-2, 5.89 ERA)

Worth noting: The Rangers begin play against the AL West. Thirteen of the next 19 games are against division foes. Last year, the Rangers went 30-27 within the division, only the second time they have won as many as 30 intradivision games since the league went to an unbalanced schedule in 2001. Ownership of the A’s, manager Ron Washington’s old club, accounted for the difference. The Rangers were 12-7 against Oakland last year and are 22-16 against the A’s under Washington.

Giveaways/Promotions: None

Ticket deals: Free Kid Tuesday. Tickets for kids 13 and under are free in all seating sections, excluding All You Can Eat Seats.  One free child ticket is available with every full-price adult ticket purchased.

Wednesday: Rangers vs. Oakland, 7:05 (KRLD-105.3 FM, FOX SW)

Probable starters: Rangers RHP Vicente Padilla (1-1, 8.27) vs. LHP Josh Outman (0-0, 5.23)

Worth noting:  Outman is the second consecutive lefty the Rangers will face and one of four they are facing this week (Chicago will start Mark Buehrle and John Danks over the weekend). Entering the season, lefties were supposed to be a real trouble spot for the Rangers, but the’ve done surprisingly well against them to this point. They enter the Oakland series 3-1. Last year, Texas was just 21-31 against lefties.

Giveaways/Promotions: Dollar Hot Dog Night; Dr Pepper Autograph Wednesday (Main concourse, 5:45-6:15 p.m.)

Ticket deals: Ozarka Website Wednesday. Tickets are half price in select areas regularly priced up to $45 when purchased on texasrangers.com.

Thursday: Rangers vs. Oakland, 1:05 (KRLD-105.3 FM, FOX SW)

Probable starters: Rangers RHP Scott Feldman vs. RHP Dallas Braden (2-2, 2.52)

Worth noting: There has been a startling difference for 2B Ian Kinsler in home and road performance through the first 19 games of the season. Kinsler, who had a 6-for-6 game that included a cycle at home earlier this season, entered the Oakland series hitting .537 in Arlington, but just .146 on the road. He took an 0-for-11 skid, his second in the last week, into the homestand.

Giveaways/Promotions: None.

Ticket deals: Diamond Club Combo. Enjoy lunch at the Rangers game for only $10 extra when you purchase a Diamond Club Combo Ticket.  Your ticket will include fine dining, buffet style, in the air-conditioned Diamond Club.  Seats are available in five price levels, starting at only $35 a seat at texasrangers.com/diamondclub.

WEATHER UPDATE: According to the Rangers Meteorological desk, forecast improves greatly for this evening. I’ve been relying on weather.com. And they’ve been know to be wrong before.

Friday: Rangers vs. Royals, 7:05 p.m., (KRLD-105.3 FM, FOX Southwest)

Probable starters: Rangers LHP Matt Harrison (0-1, 6.35 ERA) vs. RHP Gil Meche (0-0, 3.21)

Worth noting: The Royals had to put star-crossed star-in-waiting 3B Alex Gordon on the DL with a hip injury that will require surgery and is expected to keep him out of action for a good eight-to-10 weeks. The Royals will move OF Mark Teahen to third to replace Gordon and they called up OF Mitch Maier to replace Teahen. It means former Ranger backup 3B Travis Metcalf, who was claimed off waivers by the Royals in the first week of the season, remains at Triple-A Omaha.

Giveaways/Promotions: Big Bang Friday Fireworks

Ticket deals: FANtastic Fireworks Fridays. Enter FIREWORKS as the coupon code on texasrangers.com to purchase tickets regularly-priced up to $25 for only $10.  Plus, all cash parking will be just $5.  Offer is also available in person at Rangers Ballpark or via phone at 972-RANGERS, all compliments of 105.3 The Fan.

Saturday: Rangers vs. Royals, 7:05 (KRLD-1080s AM, Channel 27)

Probable starters: Rangers RHP Kevin Millwood (1-0, 0.64 ERA) vs. RHP Zack Greinke (2-0, 0.00)

Worth noting: Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Millwood’s impressive start has been his ability to retire right-handed hitters. They are just 5-for-26 (.192) against him. Last year, they hit a ridiculous .354, including 9-for-27 (.333) in his first two starts. Among the 117 right-handed pitchers to face right-handed hitters at least 200 times last year, Millwood’s opponent’s batting average and opponent’s on-base percentage (.386) were the highest in their respective categories.

Free stuff!

Giveaways/Promotions: Dreyer’s Josh Hamilton Jersey (First 7, 500, 13 & under), Jack Ingram Post-Game Concert, presented by The Big 96.3,

Ticket deals: Red Out Weekend – $10 Tickets! Tickets regularly-priced up to $33 are ONLY $10 when you enter RED as the coupon code on texasrangers.com.  Offer is also available in person at Rangers Ballpark or via phone at 972-RANGERS.

Sunday: Rangers vs. Royals, 2:05 p.m. (KRLD-1080 AM, FOX Southwest)

Probable starters: Rangers RHP Vicente Padilla (1-0, 10.00 ERA) vs. Kyle Davis (1-0, 2.13)

Worth noting: It’s a day game, the sixth the Rangers will play in their first 12 games. And that’s one plausible explanation for why OF Josh Hamilton hasn’t put on much of a power display in the first two weeks of the season. He had only one homer in the first nine games. Hamilton mentioned last year that seeing the ball in day games was an issue for him and the numbers backed him up. He hit .323 and averaged a homer every 18.8 at-bats at night, but only .248 with a homer every 21.8 at-bats during the day.

More free stuff!

Giveaway/promotions: FOX Sports Southwest Rangers Cap (All Fans), Drumstick $1 Ice Cream Sunday (13 & under)

Ticket deals: All You Can Eat Seats in Upper Home Run Porch include all you can eat grilled chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, nachos, peanuts, popcorn, and soft drinks served in the enclosed, air-conditioned Upper Home Run Porch Grill.  All You Can Eat Seats are regularly-priced at $34, but you can get $5 off for today’s game by entering EAT as the coupon code on texasrangers.com.