Texas Rangers (70-75) vs. Seattle Mariners (73-72)
The MLB betting action continues Thursday, September 12, 2024, featuring an exciting AL West matchup at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington. Fans are looking forward to the latest Rangers vs. Mariners predictions and odds.
As Texas and Seattle kick off a four-game series, the first pitch is slated for 9:40 PM ET. The Mariners enter as -165 moneyline favorites, with a total set at 7.5 runs. Seattle has demonstrated dominance against Texas this season, boasting a 5-1 record and aiming for their fifth straight win over the defending World Series champions.
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Rangers Shift Focus to Future Prospects
The Texas Rangers are unlikely to defend their World Series title, with playoff hopes dimming rapidly. Excluding Wednesday’s games, the 70-75 Rangers faced the Arizona Diamondbacks, seeking to avoid a sweep in their two-game series. After a 6-0 loss on Tuesday, Texas found themselves seven games behind the final wild-card spot in the American League and 7.5 games behind the AL West-leading Houston Astros.
Despite winning ten of their last 14 games, the Rangers’ performance has not been enough to secure a playoff berth. Their recent statistics reflect a less-than-stellar .239/.308/.375 batting average, with 24 doubles and 12 home runs over 440 at-bats. Their pitching staff has posted a 4.19 ERA and 1.22 WHIP during this stretch.
A significant moment for the Rangers is the anticipated MLB debut of Kumar Rocker. The third overall pick from the 2022 MLB Draft has pitched only 29.2 innings in Double-A and Triple-A this season, allowing just three earned runs on 13 hits and four walks. The 24-year-old right-hander began his comeback journey in July after recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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Mariners Face Critical Challenges
The Seattle Mariners, at 73-72, hosted the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night, hoping to avoid a two-game sweep. They suffered a 7-3 defeat in the opener, marking the sixth loss in their last ten games. Currently, the Mariners trail the Astros by 4.5 games and are four games behind the final wild card in the American League.
In the past two weeks, Seattle has shown offensive strength, hitting .266/.356/.456 with 27 doubles and 17 home runs over 410 at-bats across 12 games, finishing 6-6. Despite this, their pitching staff has managed a 3.81 ERA and 1.01 WHIP, which raises questions about their recent struggles despite solid offensive stats.
On the mound for the Mariners is Bryce Miller, a promising 26-year-old right-hander with an 11-8 record and a strong 3.18 ERA and 0.99 WHIP over 28 starts (161.1 innings pitched) this season. He has been particularly effective, not allowing a single run in three of his last six starts, including his most recent outing against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 6.
This game marks Miller’s second encounter with Texas this season. He faced a tough outing in their first matchup on April 24, suffering a loss after giving up two earned runs on four hits and four walks in four innings. Miller’s career record against the Rangers is troubling, with an 0-3 record and a 12.66 ERA in three starts.
Betting Insights for Rangers vs. Mariners
Expect Bryce Miller to finally achieve a quality start against the Texas Rangers. He has been in remarkable form, with a 1.56 ERA and a .517 opposing OPS over his last six starts. Since that loss to the Rangers in April, Miller has limited walks, only issuing more than two free passes on two occasions.
Against Miller, the current Rangers lineup has performed decently, going 11-for-35 with four doubles and one home run. The absence of Corey Seager, who is sidelined with a hip injury, may impact their chances since he has a .600 batting average (3-for-5) with two homers against Miller. Despite the Rangers holding a solid 132 wRC+ and .812 OPS against right-handed pitchers in September, the Mariners seem well-positioned for a strong showing in the series opener.
Meanwhile, Kumar Rocker will be on a limited pitch count as he eases back into competitive form. This could prove challenging, as the Mariners are producing well at the plate, boasting a 140 wRC+ and .828 OPS against righties in September.
