Ian Kennedy (8-12, 3.94 ERA) and the San Diego Padres (64-68) go up against Cole Hamels (8-8, 3.69 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (69-62) in the last of a three-game interleague series at Petco Park. The Rangers won the last game 8-6 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game gets underway at 10:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sep. 2 and will air on FSSD and FSSW.
In his most recent outing, Kennedy pitched 6.2 innings, allowing two runs, striking out seven and walking five in a 7-1 loss to the Phillies. Matt Kemp (.269, 65 Rs, 17 HRs, 85 RBIs, 11 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 3 for 4 with one run, one home run, and four RBIs. The Rangers were victorious over the Orioles 4-1 the last time Hamels pitched. He went 8.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out 10 and walking four. Rougned Odor (.279, 39 Rs, 11 HRs, 43 RBIs, 5 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Rangers, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run.
San Diego, a +110 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Texas. Oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at six runs. When playing as the underdog, the Padres have a 30-41 record and overall money line at -555. They come into the game with an impressive record as the underdog(6-4) but an underwhelming record SU (7-11) against the AL. San Diego has averaged 3.2 runs per game during interleague play, lower than its season average of 4.1. The Padres rank fifth in the majors in extra base hits with 359. 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 5.8 against teams from the AL. The Padres don’t give up many hits to opposing batters at Petco Park, ranking fifth in the NL with only 8.3 hits allowed per home game. An area where the Padres are particularly strong at home is striking batters out, where they average 9.0 K’s per home game.
Moving on to the opposing team, the Rangers come into this game with a win percentage of .556 when playing as the favorite (15-12) and an overall money line of +2,245. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 7-3 SU and have an unblemished 3-0 record when they were the favorite. The Rangers are a problem for opposing batters, sporting a 4.05 ERA on the road this season.
In their previous five games this season, the Padres have a 3-2 record. This game will feature Hamels (LHP) on the mound against the Padres, who have a 15-13 record when they take on a left-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Rangers will be the right-hander Kennedy. They sport a 45-38 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – SD, O/U – Over
Notes
The Padres are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Rangers have a 26-37 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Padres are 9-48. The Rangers have a 16-47 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 19th in home runs, San Diego has hit 120 this season. Texas ranks 12th with 136 home runs.
Ranking 13th, San Diego is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.29 per game. Texas ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 8.74.
Ranking 27th, San Diego is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.688). Texas ranks in the top 10 at eighth with an OPS of .731.
When the Rangers allow at least one home run, they are 35-47, well-matched with the Padres who are 34-49 when allowing at least one homer.
