RoughRiders Face Sod Poodles in Hodgetown Showdown

The Frisco RoughRiders (26-18) roll into Hodgetown to battle the Amarillo Sod Poodles (20-25), the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, in their second series matchup of 2025. Having split their earlier meetings—one in Frisco, one at Hodgetown—the RoughRiders took the first series 4-2, outscoring the Sod Poodles 31-26. With Frisco’s pitching prowess and Amarillo’s offensive pop, this Texas League clash promises fireworks.

Team Stats: Power vs. Pitching

Amarillo’s lineup has shown slightly more power, belting 45 home runs to Frisco’s 40 and edging out the RoughRiders in RBI (207 vs. 191), OPS (.733 vs. .704), and walks (189 vs. 167). But Frisco’s arms dominate the mound. The RoughRiders’ pitching staff leads with 440 strikeouts to Amarillo’s 370, a sharper 4.27 ERA compared to 4.64, and a tighter 1.32 WHIP against 1.48. Hodgetown’s hitter-friendly confines could test Frisco’s pitchers.

RoughRiders’ Rotation

Frisco’s starting pitchers should look something like this for the series, with a mix of veterans and rising stars:

• Tuesday (Today): RHP Daniel Missaki (0-2, 6.05)
• Wednesday: LHP Kohl Drake (2-2, 2.48)
• Thursday: RHP Josh Stephan (3-1, 6.30)
• Friday: RHP Kumar Rocker (0-0, 0.00, on MLB rehab) and/or RHP Ben Anderson (2-3, 4.54)
• Saturday: LHP Mitch Bratt (3-1, 1.94)
• Sunday: RHP Trey Supak (3-2, 5.87)

Hodgetown’s reputation as a pitcher’s nightmare hopefully won’t faze this crew.

Players to Watch

Sebastian Walcott’s Hot Bat

Sebastian Walcott torched the Sod Poodles in their first meeting, hitting .333/.519/.500/1.019 with 4 RBI and 8 walks. Now at Hodgetown, where balls fly, Walcott’s recent tear—4 homers in his last 10 games—could see him launch one or two more.

Mitch Bratt’s ERA Dominance

LHP Mitch Bratt, the Texas League ERA leader at 1.94, has been unhittable, going at least 5 innings in his last 7 starts without allowing more than 2 runs. Against the **Sod Poodles** earlier, he dealt 5 innings, giving up 1 run on 6 hits, 1 walk, and 5 strikeouts.

Kohl Drake’s Strikeout Surge

LHP Kohl Drake (2-2, 2.48) is another lefty to watch, racking up 13 strikeouts against just 1 walk over his last 10.1 innings. He’s tossed at least 5 innings in his last 3 starts.

Aaron Zavala’s On-Base Prowess

Frisco’s Aaron Zavala leads the Texas League with a .421 on-base percentage, setting the table for the RoughRiders’ sluggers. His ability to get on base could spark rallies in Hodgetown’s hitter-friendly park.

Tommy Troy’s Base-Reaching Threat

Amarillo’s Tommy Troy, with a .414 on-base percentage, is the Sod Poodles’ catalyst and a Texas League leader (2nd). His knack for reaching base will challenge Frisco’s pitchers.

Frisco has the edge on the season

Frisco’s 4-2 series win earlier this season gives them the edge, but Amarillo’s power-heavy lineup and home-field advantage at Hodgetown level the playing field. With the RoughRiders holding a 26-18 record and the Sod Poodles at 20-25, this series could shift the Texas League South Division race. Frisco’s pitching advantage meets Amarillo’s offensive firepower in a clash that’s sure to keep fans glued.

What’s Next for the RoughRiders

The series kicks off Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. CT at Hodgetown, with Daniel Missaki taking the mound for Frisco. With prospects like Walcott, Bratt, and Drake ready to shine, the RoughRiders aim to flex their Texas League muscle. Tune in to see if Frisco’s arms can tame Amarillo’s bats in this high-stakes showdown.