Tyson Ross (9-9, 3.42 ERA) and the San Diego Padres (63-67) meet Colby Lewis (14-6, 4.38 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (68-61) in the first of a three-game interleague series at Petco Park. The game starts at 10:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 31 and will air on FSSD, FSSW and MLBN.
In his most recent outing, Ross pitched 6.1 innings, allowing four runs, striking out nine and walking two in a 6-5 victory over the Nationals. Justin Upton (.253, 70 Rs, 24 HRs, 72 RBIs, 18 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. The Rangers were unsuccessful the last time Lewis pitched. He did not do well, pitching 5.0 innings, giving up four runs (one unearned), striking out one and walking four in a 12-4 loss to the Blue Jays. Rougned Odor (.280, 38 Rs, 11 HRs, 43 RBIs, 5 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Rangers, going 2 for 3 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and two RBIs.
San Diego is a -125 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. The Padres are 32-26 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -755. They haven’t performed up to expectations against the AL, with a 0-7 record as the favorite. American League games have been tough for the Padres. San Diego has only averaged 3.0 runs per game compared to its 4.0 season average. The Padres are a dangerous hitting team with 348 extra base hits, one of the highest totals in the MLB. Whenever an American League opponent shows up on the calendar, the Padres seem to struggle with pitching. They allow an average of 4.4 runs per game, but allow 6.2 against teams from the AL. The have been extremely effective at striking opposing batters out at Petco Park, averaging 9.0 strikeouts per home game.
Across the field, the Rangers have a record of 53-49 when they are the underdog and are +2,245 overall with the money line. Against interleague competitors, they are 9-8 SU and 7-3 as the underdog. They sport the fourth-ranked offense in the AL, averaging 4.5 runs per game. Switching gears to Texas’s pitching staff, they have the fifth-lowest road ERA in the AL at 4.02.
The Padres are 2-1 against the Rangers this season. The Padres will take on a right-hander (Lewis) in this game and have a 47-54 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Rangers will be the right-hander Ross. They sport a 44-37 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – SD, O/U – Over
Notes
Texas has won 45% (25-30) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, San Diego has won 53% (34-30) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Rangers are coming into this game after allowing zero walks during their last outing. The Padres have a 4-10 record when opponents give up that many walks.
When they outhit their opponents, the Padres are 47-13. The Rangers have a 51-9 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 18th in runs, San Diego has earned 529 this season. Texas ranks fifth with 575 runs.
Ranking 22nd, San Diego is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 331 this season. Texas ranks in the top half at 15th with 369.
When the Padres hit at least one home run, they are 44-25, well-matched with the Rangers who are 51-26 when hitting one or more homers.
