Rangers-Padres Series: Preview, Starting Pitchers, Key Matchups

Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom. Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Rangers-Padres Series: Preview, Starting Pitchers, Key Matchups

Originally posted on Texas Rangers on SI
By Matt Postins | Last updated Jun 19, 2026 2:35 PM ET

The Texas Rangers enter their series with the San Diego Padres fighting multiple battles.

The Rangers (35-39) have lost five out of six games since getting back to .500 after beating the Kansas City Royals in a three-game series on June 11. Texas is still within striking distance in the AL West, but the Seattle Mariners are starting to find their groove and have a three-game lead.

Texas was swept by the Minnesota Twins in a series that ended on Thursday. Each Rangers starting pitcher gave up a first-inning home run and multiple runs in the frame as the Rangers were unable to come back. Texas is now 0-15 when it gives up multiple first-inning runs. Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said on Thursday that, at this point, it could be mental.

That’s not a good problem to have when Texas is trying to crawl back into the playoff race.

Here is a breakdown of the series, including how to watch, the starting pitchers, Rangers injuries and key matchups.

San Diego Padres at Texas Rangers

Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Where: Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas

Series Schedule, TV, Radio

Monday: 7:05 p.m. — TV: Rangers: Rangers Sports Network, can be streamed on Victory+; Padres: Padres.TV

Tuesday: 3:05 p.m. — TV: Rangers: Rangers Sports Network, can be streamed on Victory+; Padres: Padres.TV

Thursday: 1:35 p.m. — TV: Rangers: Rangers Sports Network, can be streamed on Victory+; Padres: Padres.TV

Radio: Rangers: KRLD 1080, KFLC 1270; Padres: KWFN 97.3, XEMO 860.

Starting Pitchers

Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Friday: Texas RHP Jacob deGrom (5-4, 3.17) vs. San Diego RHP Randy Vásquez (6-4, 3.63)

Saturday: Texas RHP Nathan Eovaldi (6-7, 4.23) vs. San Diego RHP Walker Buehler (4-3, 4.14)

Sunday: Texas LHP MacKenzie Gore (4-6, 4.27) vs. San Diego TBD

Key Matchups

Based on the starting pitching matchups, these are hitters to watch against those pitchers this weekend:

Joc Pederson (TEX) vs. Vásquez, .250, 1 home run, two RBI in eight at-bats.

Manny Machado (SD) vs. deGrom, .300, 20 at-bats.

Wyatt Langford (TEX) vs. Buehler, .400, five at-bats.

Ty France (SD) vs. Eovaldi, .500, one home run, two RBI, 14 at-bats.

Rangers Injuries

Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images

7-Day Concussion List: SS Corey Seager (eligible to be activated on Friday).

10-Day Injured List: C Danny Jansen (right forearm strain), OF Michael Helman (multiple fractures on right hand), OF Evan Carter (right oblique strain).

15-Day Injured List: RHP Chris Martin (right shoulder impingement), LHP Jalen Beeks (lower back spasms).

60-Day Injured List: LHP Jordan Montgomery (Tommy John surgery recovery), LHP Cody Bradford (left UCL surgery), RHP Carter Baumler (right intercostal strain), LHP Robert Garcia (left shoulder inflammation).