Seattle has won three of their last four heading into the 6/4 Mariners at Rangers betting matchup. The M’s still have a long way to go to match last year’s success (90-72) as they are just 23-29 to start the year. A sweep this weekend in Arlington would go a long way towards building momentum.
Texas has now dropped three in a row, and they’ve been held to three runs or less in four straight. Despite those recent struggles, the Rangers are -125 favorites on Saturday after being+112 underdogs in the series opener. Despite some recent low scoring games from Texas the over/under is still 9 for this matchup.
Late Heroics for Seattle on Friday
Seattle rallied from a 3-2 deficit in the 9th inning in the series opener after a Eugenio Suarez HR in the 9th inning brought J.P. Crawford home as well and the bullpen held on for a 4-3 Seattle win as -104 favorites. That’s now five wins in the last seven for the Mariners as they try to clinch a third straight series victory and get back into the swing of things in the AL West.
The Mariners are averaging 5.14 runs/game over their last 7, with Ty France and Taylor Trammell both having an OBP over .429 over that span. Trammell is 6 for his last 12 while France has multi-hit games in 4 of the last 7. This is an offense that can get things going in the 6/4 Mariners at Rangers matchup and as a +1-5 underdog.
Marco Gonzalez (3-5, 3.55 ERA) is up against a familiar foe as he makes his 18th career start vs. the Rangers on Saturday (8-6, 3.74 ERA). That includes an April 21st outing when the Rangers plated 6 runs against the left-hander, although only 2 were earned as Seattle lost 8-6 as a -120 favorite. Gonzales has allowed 2 ER or less in 9 of his 10 starts this year.
Rangers in a Mini Skid
Texas had looked like they turned a corner a bit with wins in six of seven, but that has gone by the wayside during a three game losing streak. The Rangers outhit Seattle 7-5 in the series opener, but couldn’t hold on to the late lead with Joe Barlow blowing his first save of the year and taking the loss.
The Rangers are now just 2-10 in one run games this season, so they’ll try to open up a bit of a gap in Saturday afternoon’s tilt. Texas faces Gonzales for the second time this season, but have a team .263 average against him in 125 total ABs. Charlie Culberson has led the way going 6-13 (.462) with a 3B and a HR all-time vs. the Seattle starter.
It will be Glenn Otto (3-2, 4.33 ERA) on the mound for Texas making his 14th career start – and his first against the Mariners. Otto has allowed 2 ER or less in 6 of 7 starts this season.
Free 6/4 Mariners at Rangers Betting Pick
Both starting pitchers rarely give up more than 2 ER on the season, so a total of 9 for this game seems a bit on the high side. These two squads combined for 3 runs after the 7th inning in the series opener so the bullpens may be tested again, but in a game where the side could go either way the under seems to be the play.
Free Pick: Under 9
