Joc

Pederson

It’s notable that Pederson remains in the leadoff spot against a right-handed starter with both Corey Seager and Wyatt Langford back from the injured list. The ultra-streaky 34-year-old veteran has been red-hot in recent weeks, batting .271 (23-for-85) with six homers and 18 RBI over his last 30 games. He’s a strong pickup for fantasy managers, even in shallow mixed leagues, when he’s in the midst of a hot streak.

In another quiet game for the Rangers’ offense, Pederson tried to drag them back into this game late with a two-run, seventh inning triple. While it was all for naught, Pederson has caught fire. He has eight extra-base hits in his last nine games and an impressive .945 OPS over his last 30 games. He’s also hit lead-off against the last 12 right-handed pitchers Texas has faced as a legitimate mixed league option.

Pederson’s doubles were hit 107.5 and 105.5 mph off Dustin May. He’s hit .357 with five homers and 10 RBI in his last 13 games, taking his OPS to .828. That’s a mere 214 points better than where he finished last year.

Pederson blasted a 436-foot shot off of Mike Burrows in the third inning to put the Rangers up 2-1. It was the fifth homer of the season for Pederson, who has now homered in back-to-back games and three times in May. Pederson was responsible for three of the Rangers’ six hits in this one, doing everything he could to help out starter Jacob deGrom, who picked up the no-decision. Pederson is slashing .281/.386/.561 this month and has also driven in 11 runs.

Pederson will get a chance at the top of the order to face Diamondbacks righty Zac Gallen during Tuesday’s contest. The 34-year-old veteran has mostly batted towards the bottom of the order this season. He’s posted a pedestrian .665 OPS with two homers and eight RBI through 37 games. He remains a non-factor in the overwhelming majority of fantasy leagues.

Pederson has been available as a backup first baseman the last couple of seasons, but he doesn’t even travel with an outfielder’s glove any longer and he’s having to borrow Alejandro Osuna’s today. He’s needed in the outfield because Brandon Nimmo remains limited to DH duties by his hamstring problem. It could be a short day for Pederson. Paul Blackburn doesn’t figure to go long for Texas, and Pederson will likely be replaced once a lefty comes into the game.

Nimmo missed Saturday’s game with a nagging hamstring injury. Since he’s DHing, that means Joc Pederson is out of the lineup tonight. Andrew McCutchen is starting in the outfield for the third time this season.

Pederson had one homer previously, but the 108-mph shot tonight gave him his first barrel in 78 plate appearances this season. He’s hitting .306 in 49 at-bats since opening the season 0-for-14. Still, he’s going to have to show more power to have any chance of fantasy relevancy.

McCutchen gets a chance to face Athletics lefty Jeffrey Springs on Saturday afternoon with Joc Pederson heading to the bench. The 39-year-old has played sparingly this season, hitting .242 (8-for-33) with one homer and five RBI in 17 games, mostly as a pinch-hitter.

Burger draws his first off day of the season following 17 consecutive starts at the cold corner. The 30-year-old slugger has put together a resurgent campaign so far with four homers and 12 RBI during that span. Joc Pederson makes a rare appearance at first base in his absence.