It’s set to be a 12:35 pm start in the rubber match between the Texas Rangers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The mound is going to see Johan Oviedo from the Pirates in a showdown against the Rangers’ Martin Perez.

Both pitchers have had less than stellar performances recently, with Perez’s xFIP over the past 30 days clocking in at 5.56, with Oviedo at 5.81. That said, Oviedo has managed to show something, turning in decent performances in five of his eight starts.

Yesterday’s encounter saw the Rangers bounce back with an impressive 6-1 victory. However, whether we’ll see more of the same from the Texas outfit today remains to be seen, particularly given Perez’s sketchy record on the road. In fact, his ERA is north of five on the road, with eight home runs given up in 30 innings. In contrast, at home, he’s been quite steady, boasting a 1.93 ERA without conceding a single home run.

The Pirates, led by Oviedo, could hold a significant advantage in this contest, particularly considering Perez’s vulnerability on the road and the Pirates’ stronger performance against left-handed pitching. The team’s anticipated lineup shows five players with elevated ISO numbers and six players with high wOBA against lefties. Perez could face significant pressure in the early part of the game.

To add to the intrigue, the match will be played under slightly warmer conditions in Pittsburgh, with a first pitch forecast of 77 degrees and a light wind blowing out to center field. These conditions could play a part in the performance of both teams, especially given the Pirates’ recent proficiency against left-handed pitching.

In this potentially tight contest, the Pirates might hold the upper hand, at least in the first five innings.