Philadelphia Phillies vs. Texas Rangers Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 6/21/2022

Time: 8:10 p.m. ET

Venue: Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX

Where to watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, Bally Sports Southwest

DraftKings: Rangers -120, Phillies +100

BetMGM: Rangers -115, Phillies -105

Caesars: Rangers -120, Phillies +100

Phillies: 36-32

Rangers: 31-35

There was no better way for Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward to sum up the weekend for his ballclub: a missed opportunity. That's not to say that winning a series over the Detroit Tigers would've resulted in great things the rest of the way, but to not come away with at least winning three of four is a major blow for a team that has surpassed all expectations to this point.

But they can quickly turn the page with a strong showing in this short two-game series against the red-hot Philadelphia Phillies starting on Tuesday. The Rangers come in having lost four of six, but this group is still only four games below .500 and are going to be competing for a playoff spot toward the end of the first half of the season.

There is some concern in how the Rangers finished that series. And maybe you can look at the overall grind of losing by a combined 21-10 in the final two games as losing some gas toward the end. But with the Rangers, the pitching has got to be better going into this series, and fortunately they'll have their best starter this year -- Martin Perez -- on the mound.

"This really feels like a missed opportunity," said Woodward, whose team won the first two games by a combined 10-1. "We had a ton of momentum after the first two games, and we were playing against a team we feel like we should be very competitive against.

"This was a series we could have won and really made some noise."

And that's really the biggest part of this whole thing. Are the Rangers really ready to make that next leap and beat the better teams, rather than laying an egg against those inferior clubs? Because yes, we can start grouping the Rangers in the category of being better than those in last place. How long can they keep that up, though?

That's why, even though it's just two games, the Phillies are a great test to see where the Rangers are. And having Perez, who has had a career renaissance in his second go-round with Texas, going against this lineup with the likes of Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and others is going to be a chance to see where they're at.

The Phillies are coming off a 9-3 loss to the Washington Nationals that prevented them from sweeping a five-game series to end Philly's seven-game road winning streak. Harper has been dealing with a blister so he's been out of the lineup, but the Phillies could find themselves with more than six hits against the Rangers if things bounce their way.

That being said, I believe in Martin Perez. His start to the season has put him in All-Star territory, and I sincerely hope he gets to that point. We'll see if he can, but man, what a way to cap off this first half. I think Perez pitches well, and the Rangers get a big win. Rangers win 7-5

Phillies are 15-3 in June and 27-15 in the month over the past three seasons.

Phillies are 17-28 on Tuesday over the past three seasons.

Phillies are 8-5 this season when Kyle Gibson starts.

Rangers are 14-17 when the line is between +125 and -125 this season.

Rangers are 4-1 against NL East teams this season.

Phillies:
Kyle Schwarber (L) DH
Rhys Hoskins (R) 1B
Didi Gregorius (L) SS
Nick Castellanos (R) RF
J.T. Realmuto (R) C
Odubel Herrera (L) CF
Alec Bohm (R) 3B
Bryson Stott (L) 2B
Matt Vierling (R) LF
SP - Kyle Gibson

Rangers:
Marcus Semien (R) 2B
Corey Seager (L) SS
Adolis Garcia (R) RF
Kole Calhoun (L) LF
Jonah Heim (S) C
Nathaniel Lowe (L) 1B
Ezequiel Duran (R) 3B
Brad Miller (L) DH
Leody Taveras (S) CF
SP - Martin Perez

Batting average: Bryce Harper -- .326

Home runs: Kyle Schwarber -- 18

RBI: Bryce Harper -- 48

Wins: Zack Wheeler -- 6

ERA: Zack Wheeler -- 2.69

Batting average: Nathaniel Lowe -- .274

Home runs: Corey Seager -- 15

RBI: Adolis Garcia -- 45

Wins: Martin Perez -- 4

ERA: Martin Perez -- 2.10