The Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate to the Texas Rangers, are looking for their second-straight win. The RoughRiders are hosting the Tulsa Drillers, of the Los Angeles Dodgers system. Both teams are 1-2, and looking for a chance at being .500.
The RoughRiders will put righty Reed Garrett on the hill today. The 24-year-old Virginia native has gone back and forth, between starting and the bullpen. He spent most of 2016 with the RoughRiders, making a couple of brief stops at Triple-A Round Rock and Advanced-A High Desert. In the Arizona Fall League, Garrett had five appearances. He went 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA, over 16 total innings.
RoughRiders centerfielder Jose Cardona will look to lead the team offensively today. His currently the team-leader in average, batting .500 so far this season. His line is .500/.571/.500. Cardona faces a lefty today, in Drillers pitcher Colt Hynes. So far this season, Cardona is batting perfect against left-handed pitchers. While it’s early in the season, it’s definitely something to watch for.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa is batting second in the lineup today. Kiner-Falefa launched the first home run of his career, in last night’s win over Springfield. It was also the first homer for the RoughRiders team this season. Kiner-Falefa comes into today’s matchup leading Frisco in RBIs, with five.
Juremi Profar, younger brother of Rangers infielder Jurickson Profar, will be batting third. He also had a home run last night. He’s hitting .308 so far this season, with two RBIs.
The RoughRiders have a few batters in the lineup today with a .000 average. Second baseman Andy Ibanez and designated hitter Drew Vettleson are both searching for their first hits of the season. If pitcher Reed Garrett can maintain some form of the same control that Yohander Mendez showed last night, some pressure may be taken off the two hitless infielders.
Joe Mikulik, manager of the RoughRiders, has moved the lineup around a bit today. With players resting, he may be able to find some chemistry that could pay off.
It’s the first of a three-game series today, at Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The action will begin at 4:05 PM Central.