Rangers look to maintain momentum, give Joc Pederson rare start vs. lefty on Sunday

The Rangers carried momentum into Sunday, starting Joc Pederson against a left-handed starter for the first time this season at Globe Life Field against the Cleveland Guardians. Pederson batted sixth off left-hander Joey Cantillo, part of a hot stretch that has him at .261/.368/.557 with six homers since May 1, prompting manager Skip Schumaker to keep him in the lineup. Cantillo’s peripherals appeared favorable to Pederson, and Schumaker noted it didn’t feel right to sit a hot hitter. With Corey Seager off due to lower back inflammation and Justin Foscue stepping in at second, Kyle Higashioka was the only right-handed bat on the bench.