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Rangers Look to Go for Series Win

By Ric Dickens

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The Texas Rangers (69-62) try and take the series at Petco Park and face the San Diego Padres (64-68) in the final game of this three game series at 9:10 p.m. CT. This is a huge game for the Rangers because they are headed into an off day tomorrow. If they win, they go into the off day feeling good. They lose, and they have to sit on it for a full day before hitting the field on Friday. The Rangers will turn to Cole Hamels (2-1, 3.89 ERA) and the San Diego Padres will counter with Ian Kennedy (8-12, 3.94 ERA).

This is why the Rangers got Hamels, to pitch in big games down the stretch run. Hamels is no stranger to big games and it seemingly gets better as the season progresses. In his last start against the Baltimore Orioles, he pitched eight incredible innings of two hit ball, allowing just one run in the process. When you look for an ace, Hamels fits the bill because of his incredible track record in the month of September and October. Hopefully he can keep that going into tonights game.

For the Padres, they turn to Ian Kennedy in hopes to win the series. Kennedy has been about everything that the Padres could’ve expected, as he has a 3.94 ERA this season. His career ERA has a 3.93 ERA, so he is right on track for what he has been his whole career. His last outing was rather impressive, though, going 6 2/3 innings of two hit ball, allowing two runs while walking five and striking out seven.

Rangers manager Jeff Banister has released the following lineup for tonight’s contest.

Gallo Back in the Lineup

Joey Gallo has been a September call up for the Rangers, and he is back in the lineup tonight. He is an incredibly exciting player and I hope he can limit his strikeouts, because he will most certainly provide some pop at the bottom of the lineup. Chris Gimenez gets the start tonight as Banister continues to rotate his catchers. Other than that, the lineup is the same as yesterdays.

Pick to Click

Joey Gallo is my pick to click tonight and why not. Michael Young went down to Triple A and really worked with him and reports have it that it helped him out. We all know that Gallo has an incredible amount of pop and I look for him to put one in the seats tonight. Look for Gallo to go 1-4 with a homer and three RBIs.

Final Score Prediction 

The Rangers are the better team and they have the better pitcher on the hill tonight. Hamels is a stud in September and October and I look for him to continue that dominance today. Look for the Rangers to have a decisive win tonight, winning by a final score of 7-2.

Next: Morning Murmurs: Rangers Beat Padres

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