Overview
The Seattle Mariners are in Texas today for the rubber match of their three game series with the Rangers. The Mariners took the first game of the series in a close low scoring game but they got crushed 10-1 in the second game. The Rangers haven’t had much luck versus the Mariners this season winning just 7 of 18 meetings overall and 3 of 8 played at home in Texas.
Head to Head Trends
Mariners are 4-0 in Hernandezs last 4 starts vs. Rangers.
Under is 21-8-1 in the last 30 meetings.
Texas Rangers (-105)
The Texas Rangers are 1st in the American League West 2.5 games up on the second place Houston Astros. For most of the season it looked like the Astros were a shoe-in to win the division but with their recent struggles and the Rangers being one of the hotter teams in the league over the past month or so it looks like the Rangers are probably going to take the division.
On the hill for the Rangers in this one is lefty Derek Holland who is 3-2 with a 3.77 ERA in 7 starts this season. Holland had a couple good starts when he first came back but he’s been roughed up in back to back starts which included a 5-0 loss to the Mariners.
Texas Rangers Trends
Rangers are 23-6 in their last 29 home games.
Rangers are 8-3 in Hollands last 11 starts.
Seattle Mariners (-105)
The Seattle Mariners are 4th in the American League West 5 games under .500 at 72-77. The Mariners have been playing some pretty good ball of late winning 11 of their last 17 games but it’s just too little too late as they’ve been out of things for a while now.
Starting for the Mariners today is their ace Felix Hernandez who is 17-9 with a 3.55 ERA on the season. Hernandez isn’t having his best seasons this is actually probably his worst season since 2007 in large part due to the long ball. Hernandez has allowed 21 home runs which is the most homers he’s allowed since his second season when he gave up 23 long balls so with a few more starts left he might surpass that total.
Seattle Mariners Trends
Mariners are 6-1 in their last 7 road games.
Mariners are 11-4 in Hernandezs last 15 starts with 4 days of rest.
Conclusion
I like the Seattle Mariners over the Rangers in this one. I know I said Hernandez isn’t having his best season but he’s still pretty good and I think he’s a hell of a lot better then Derek Holland.
Free Pick: Seattle Mariners -105
