After a tight opener where both lineups traded big swings, the Rangers and Padres return to Petco Park for a pivotal Game 2 on Saturday. Patrick Corbin looks to steady the Rangers’ rotation, while Stephen Kolek aims to build on a promising rookie campaign for San Diego.
With star hitters like Corey Seager and Manny Machado already making noise in this series, expect another hard-fought battle between two clubs scrapping for a position in the Wild Card chase.
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Rangers vs. Padres Game 2 – Pitcher & Hitter Matchups
Starting Pitchers
Patrick Corbin (Rangers)
Corbin has quietly staged a late-career revival in Texas, posting a 4‑7 record with a 4.26 ERA, 65 strikeouts, and a 1.30 WHIP across 82.1 innings this season. His cutter has been a key weapon and he’s benefited from elite Rangers defense, holding opponents to a .298 BABIP while mixing improved control and veteran savvy.
Stephen Kolek (Padres)
Kolek has impressed in parts, sitting at 3‑3 with a 3.73 ERA, 47 strikeouts, and a 1.24 WHIP over 62.2 innings. He’s averaging roughly 6.9 Ks per 9 innings and inducing solid contact, signaling he can handle pressure on the road.
Hot Hitters
Corey Seager (Rangers)
Seager remains one of the Rangers’ most reliable bats, delivering consistent production in the middle of the order. He picked up a line-drive single in Game 1, continuing to show his knack for finding gaps and setting the table. With 11 homers on the year and a history of heating in July, Seager’s a name to watch as the series rolls on.
Manny Machado (Padres)
Machado made a loud statement in the opener, breaking out of an eight-game homer slump with a towering 440-foot blast to dead center. It was vintage Manny, with effortless power and perfect timing. Now slashing .292 with 14 homers and 51 RBIs, he’s quietly putting together one of his best seasons since 2022. Machado’s bat remains the heartbeat of this Padres lineup.
Projected Lineups
Texas Rangers (Away Team):
1B Josh Smith (L)SS Corey Seager (L)2B Marcus Semien (R)RF Adolis Garcia (R)LF Aaron Osuna (L)C Jonah Heim (S)DH Jake Burger (R)3B Ezequiel Duran (R)CF Sam Haggerty (S)SP: Patrick Corbin (L) – 4-7, 4.26 ERA
San Diego Padres (Home Team):
RF Fernando Tatis Jr. (R)CF Jackson Merrill (L)3B Manny Machado (R)1B Luis Arraez (L)LF Gavin Sheets (L)SS Xander Bogaerts (R)2B Jake Cronenworth (L)DH Taylor Brooks (L)C Martin Maldonado (R)SP: Stephen Kolek (R) – 3-3, 3.73 ERA
Injury Report
Rangers
Jacob deGrom – elbow; on 60‑day ILAndrew Heaney – shoulder; on 15‑day IL
Padres
Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, and Jhony Brito – all on 60‑day ILMichael King (shoulder), Ryan Bergert (forearm) – on 15‑day IL
Current Odds
Rangers Runline (−1.5): +164Padres Runline (+1.5): −203Over 8: −111Under 8: −110Rangers Moneyline: +101Padres Moneyline: −123Best Bets & Prediction
Score Prediction: Padres 4, Rangers 3
Top Bets
Padres Moneyline (−123) – Kolek’s trend toward suppressing runs and Padres’ home advantage justifies backing San Diego.Under 8 Runs (−110) – Both Corbin and Kolek aren’t big inning-eaters, lean pitcher’s duel.
Value Parlay: Padres ML & Under 8 – Safe combo with a decent payoff in a low-scoring game.
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