Sunday Night Baseball features an exciting matchup between the Texas Rangers and the San Diego Padres, part of a holiday weekend doubleheader on ESPN. The game is set to commence at 9:10 p.m. ET, promising a thrilling night for baseball fans.
On the mound for the Padres, Kyle Hart is expected to start, despite currently being listed as TBD. Hart has struggled this season, posting a 6.66 ERA in six MLB starts, along with a 4.67 xERA and a 6.52 FIP over 25.2 innings. After spending time in the KBO last season, he was recalled from Triple-A, where he recorded a 4.67 ERA over nine starts.
The Rangers will counter with their own pitcher, Jack Leiter, who is looking to secure his team’s first series win of the season and improve their record to .500. Leiter has shown promise lately, having recently delivered a standout performance by allowing just one run over six innings against the Mariners, leading to seven strikeouts. In total, he holds a 4.29 ERA, with a notable record of limiting opposing batters to a .226 average and impressive early-game statistics.
Both teams have split the first two games in this series, adding a competitive edge to the matchup. However, the Rangers have posted a dismal .275 wOBA against left-handed pitching this season, which could hinder their offensive performance.
Player prop bets for the match include Xander Bogaerts and Fernando Tatis Jr. to each record at least one walk. Both players have demonstrated strong walk rates against right-handed pitching, which could potentially play into their favor given Leiter’s control issues.
Ultimately, this matchup may not showcase the star power seen in other games, but both teams have the potential to make for an intriguing game under the national spotlight.
It will be interesting to see if the Rangers can capitalize on Leiter’s strong early innings and overcome their difficulties against left-handed pitchers, while Hart seeks to turn his season around on a big stage. Fans can anticipate a competitive game full of opportunities for both sides.