The Texas Rangers really need a successful weekend against the lowly San Diego Padres in Arlington, and the series starts on Friday with veteran lefty Wandy Rodriguez on the hill for the Rangers.
Rodriguez has been a revelation for the Rangers this year as he was a late add in spring training on a waiver claim, and he got off to a great start. He's struggled recently, and it's because a lot of his recent starts have come at home.
Rodriguez is a perfect example of the Rangers' struggles at home this year. In his six home starts, he's 0-4 with a 7.42 ERA. In his eight starts? Try 5-0 with a 2.23 for what is about the most stark contrast could find in a pitcher's home/road splits.
That will need to change on Friday night in Arlington, and Rodriguez couldn't ask for a better team to face in the Padres. As a career-long National Leaguer until this year, Rodriguez is familiar with the Padres and has succeeded against them in the past. This is a new group of Padres, but it's one that is struggling at the moment, averaging less than three runs per game over their last 23. They've lost 16 of those.
If there was ever a night for Rodriguez to turn things around at home, Friday night might be it.
