Joc Pederson at first base on Saturday vs. M’s

Pederson, who is absent from the lineup for Tuesday’s series opener against the Red Sox, told reporters he’s going to attempt to play through the injury with less than two weeks remaining in the regular season. The 34-year-old, who has occupied Texas’ leadoff spot against most right-handed starters, suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch over the weekend. The Rangers find themselves in a heated race with the Astros for the AL West division title and sit just one game back entering Tuesday’s action.

Pederson had his hand in a plastic brace after the game Saturday. He was hit in the same area in which he suffered a fractured wrist last season. It may sound like bad luck, but it’s really Pederson’s own doing from crowding the plate. Last year’s HBP came on a pitch that was a little high but was over the strike zone. The HBP tonight came on a pitch that was maybe three inches inside. If Pederson did escape another significant injury, it’s at least good timing on his part. The Rangers are set to face left-handers in each of their next three games, meaning Pederson was likely to be out of the starting lineup anyway.

Pederson stayed in to run the bases, but the Rangers had Justin Foscue hit for him his next time up, even though there was still a righty in the game for Arizona. Pederson suffered a broken wrist when he was hit in the same area last year.

The 34-year-old slugger opened the scoring in the ballgame as he ambushed a first-pitch slider from Logan Gilbert for a 385-foot (102.3-mph EV) two-run shot in the third inning. That would be his only hit on the afternoon. Pederson has had a resurgent season at the dish for the Rangers, slashing .234/.329/.488 with the aforementioned 26 long balls and 52 RBI.

Burger’s solo homer came off Kade Anderson in the top of the second. It was the only run Texas would score against the rookie southpaw. Burger is up to 26 homers on the year, including five in his past 15 games. While he is unlikely to match his career high of 34 set in 2023, he has certainly bounced back from a disappointing first season with the Rangers.

Burger’s first two-homer game since mid-April was a big one, as he took Ian Seymour deep in both the second and fourth innings. He also came around after the walk, making this the first time this year that he’s scored three runs. He’s at .239/.305/.433 with 25 homers and 82 RBI as he tries to help the Rangers win the AL West and works to ensure that the team will want to bring him back for 2027. It’ll probably cost around $6 million to retain him in arbitration.

Pederson gave the Rangers their only run through seven innings against Drew Rasmussen, taking him deep for a solo homer in the sixth inning. He was later lifted in the eighth inning for a pinch-hitter against a left-handed reliever. The 34-year-old slugger is up to 25 homers while hitting .235/.328/.485 across 416 plate appearances.

Burger doubled in the second inning to put runners on second and third with no outs. Both runs would score as the Rangers took a lead they wouldn’t give back. Burger has 12 RBI in his last 18 games despite a .238 average. He’s hitting .238 with a .728 OPS and 78 RBI this year.

Burger’s home run was his 23rd of the season. He hit a solo shot off Anthony Kay in the second inning. Burger has now hit home runs in back-to-back games and has four home runs in his last 10 games. He’s hitting .236 with a .731 OPS and 76 RBI this year.

Pederson walked and struck out in a pair of plate appearances before being tossed by home plate umpire Chris Guccione in the second inning. He appeared to be voicing his displeasure from the dugout after not being allowed to challenge a called third strike earlier in the frame when he was given the boot.