Padres Visit Rangers for First Time Since '09

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Jul 5, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder (84) hits a home run during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Padres (39-48) are a season-high (or low) nine games below .500 and are exactly where they were last year at this time. They are coming off of a frustrating series where they were swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates with just a run differential of -5 in those three games.

They now travel south to finish off the first half of the disappointing 2015 season. The Texas Rangers (41-44) have had an up-and-down season and are currently seven games back in the AL West.

Both of these teams come into this series having lost five straight, so something has got to give in Arlington this weekend. The Rangers are one of the worst teams playing at home this season with a 15-24 record playing at Globe Life Park.

These two teams last met in Arlington in 2009, the Padres won the series two games to one. The Padres are an abysmal 4-10 in interleague games this season, while the Rangers are .500 at 4-4.

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Jul 5, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (22) throws to St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (4) during the sixth inning at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Padres 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1 Friday, 5:05pm

Ian Kennedy (4-8, 4.84 ERA) vs. Wandy Rodriguez (5-4, 4.23 ERA)

Kennedy has lost three straight starts. He has only faced the Rangers once, going 5 2/3 innings while allowing six runs on ten hits. He looks to make sure that doesn’t happen again this time. He has also struggled in his career in interleague games, posting a 5.32 ERA.

Rodriguez is pitching in his 11th season in the big leagues and first with the Rangers. He was tagged for five runs in his loss against the Angels in his last start. He is 3-3 with a 3.53 ERA in eight games against the Padres in his career. The good news for the Padres is that his ERA balloons to 7.42 at home.

Offensive Player to Watch: Prince Fielder

Fielder is having a “re-birth” kind of season. He is hitting .345 and leads the American League with 112 hits. His power numbers may have dropped a bit (still, 13 home runs is not bad) but he has been a huge reason why the Rangers have surprised people in the division. He has also hit a home run in eight at-bats against Kennedy.

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Jul 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus (1) bats during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Angels defeated the Rangers 8-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Game 2 Saturday, 6:05pm

James Shields (7-3, 3.88 ERA) vs. Colby Lewis (8-4, 4.83 ERA)

Shields has not won a start since June 3rd. He definitely deserved to win his last start when he pitched seven solid innings, allowing just two hits and one unearned run. He has a lot of experience against the Rangers due to most of his career being played in the American League. He is 3-3 with a 3.31 ERA in seven starts in Arlington.

Lewis is in his 10th season in the league and eighth with Texas. He was obliterated by the Angels in his last start, allowing 10 runs on 12 hits in just four innings. He has a 5.31 lifetime ERA in his home ballpark. This will be his first career start against the Padres.

Offensive Player to Watch: Elvis Andrus

There are rumors that the Rangers are shopping Andrus this month. The Padres may be interested. He has plenty of experience against Shields, going 15 for 35 (.429). He is having a bit of a down season this year with just a .236 average and three home runs.

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Jun 26, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso (23) hits an RBI double during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Game 3 Sunday, 12:05pm

Tyson Ross (5-7, 3.56 ERA) vs. Yovani Gallardo (7-7, 2.67 ERA)

Ross has struggled with walks this season. Before his rain-shortened, two-inning start earlier this week, he had issued five walks in consecutive starts. Due to him pitching two-plus seasons in the AL West with the Oakland A’s, he has some experience pitching in Globe Life Park. So far it has not been a good experience as he is 1-2 with an 8.59 ERA in 3 games.

Gallardo has spent the majority of his 9 years in the league with the Brewers. He is having a good first season in Texas. He allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings in his last start against the D-backs. He is 4-3 with a 4.06 ERA in 10 starts against the Padres.

Offensive Player to Watch: Yonder Alonso

Since coming off of the disabled list, Alonso has been one of the more consistent hitters in the Padres lineup. He hit .290 in June but has stumbled out of the gate in July. Facing Gallardo might help as Alonso is .389 lifetime against him with a home run and four RBI.

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