Texas Rangers (43-45) vs. San Diego Padres (47-40)
The MLB betting action continues Sunday, July 6, with the Texas Rangers taking on the San Diego Padres in the interleague showdown at Petco Park in San Diego, CA, and we’ve got you covered with our Rangers vs. Padres prediction.
Texas and San Diego wrap up their three-game regular-season series. The Padres beat the Rangers 3-2 in extra inning in the opener, while the middle game has been excluded from the analysis. This article was published before Saturday’s results.
Read more about this Rangers vs. Padres prediction, and check out all our MLB picks for Sunday’s card. The first pitch at Petco Park is set for 9:10 PM ET.
The Rangers continue to play in an on-off form
The Texas Rangers mustered just five hits in the opening game of this series, recording the sixth loss in their last 11 games overall. The Rangers were three games behind the final wild-card spot in the American League on Saturday morning, and they’ll have to improve a lot in future days if they want to reach the playoffs.
Texas has struggled at the plate for most of the season and ranks 25th in the MLB in runs scored per game (3.77). Over the last couple of weeks, the Rangers are hitting an ugly .218/.303/.326 with just 16 doubles and 10 home runs in 427 at-bats.
The Rangers lean on their pitching staff and allow 3.49 runs per game (1st in the majors). Jack Leiter is projected to get the ball on Sunday night, and the 25-year-old right-hander carries a 4-5 record with a 4.29 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 14 starts (71.1 innings pitched) in 2025. Last Sunday, Leiter threw six innings of a one-run, seven-hit ball in a no-decision against the Mariners.
The Padres have been shaky, too
The San Diego Padres overcame a two-run deficit last Friday. Manny Machado went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, while Jake Cronenworth’s RBI single in the bottom of the tenth lifted the Padres over the Rangers.
It was San Diego’s fifth win in 10 games, and the Padres held the bottom wild card in the National League on Saturday morning. The Padres are 23rd in the MLB in runs scored (4.08 per game) and ninth in runs allowed (3.94). They are slashing a miserable .214/.300/.334 with 15 doubles, a triple, and 10 home runs in the last two weeks and 392 at-bats.
The Padres haven’t announced the starting pitcher for the closing contest of this series. They might call Matt Waldron up, and Waldron made his season debut last Monday, allowing four earned runs on six hits and six walks through 4.2 innings in a 4-0 loss at the Phillies. According to the Padres manager Mike Shildt, Yu Darvish is still not ready to return, and going for a bullpen day is another option for San Diego.
Best Bets for Texas Rangers vs. San Diego Padres
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
I expect another tight battle between these two teams. They’ve struggled at the plate lately, and I will go with the Rangers because of their relief pitching. Over the last 10 days, the Rangers bullpen has compiled a 2.41 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 3.68 FIP. Interestingly, it has gone 1-4 with two saves which tells you how bad the Rangers’ lineup has been.
On the other side, the Padres bullpen has amassed a 3.51 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 2.97 FIP in the last 10 days while going 2-1 with three saves. However, the Padres might have to use a bunch of their relievers in this game. Matt Waldron struggled mightily against the Phillies and needs more time to build up his form.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
The Padres are hitting just .169/.281/.284 with a 64 wRC+ against the right-handed pitchers in the last 10 days. They’ve never seen Jack Leiter before, so I expect Leiter to fare well in this matchup.
The Rangers are slashing a mediocre .240/.321/.380 with a 96 wRC+ against the righties in the past 10 days. With both bullpens pitching well, I can only look at the under on the total. Even if the Padres decide to call Matt Waldron up, I would take the under.
Want a second opinion on this pick?
For another opinion on this game, check out Texas Rangers vs. San Diego Padres Prediction from Statsalt, our partner site.
