As the series unfolds, one of these teams may have to say farewell to their hopes of claiming the AL West title. On Friday night, the Texas Rangers (70-76; 29-42 away) and Seattle Mariners (74-72; 42-29 home) meet for the second time at T-Mobile Park, starting at 10:10 p.m. EST. This rivalry will see seven matchups between September 12 and September 22. Who will emerge victorious in this crucial round?
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Texas Rangers: Playoff Dreams Fading Fast
While they’re still in contention, the Rangers find themselves in dire need of a miracle to reach the postseason. The franchise’s effort to defend its title is likely to be short-lived this year. Compounding their struggles is the limited availability of Jacob deGrom, who pitched only 30.1 innings last season, achieving a 2.67 ERA and 0.758 WHIP. As the all-time leader in K/BB, his performance will be closely monitored as he makes his first start since April 2023. With deGrom’s return, Texas will likely rely on its bullpen, which ranks poorly at 24th in ERA and 27th in FIP. What can fans expect from his season debut?
Texas has also struggled offensively, averaging only 4.18 runs per game, placing them 22nd in the league. Their batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage all rank in the bottom half of MLB. The Rangers sit at 21st in both home runs and stolen bases. Despite holding a ninth-place strikeout rate and a 14th-place walk rate, they still face challenges in scoring runs. Perhaps a trip to Seattle will spark some offensive momentum for this underperforming squad.
Key Injuries – Corey Seager (out)
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Seattle Mariners: Aiming for October
Earlier in the season, the Mariners were celebrated for leading their division by 10 games. However, that lead has evaporated, and they now trail by 4.0 games with time running out. The upcoming games are critical if Seattle hopes to see postseason action. All eyes are on Emerson Hancock, who is set to start following his return from an injury. His ERA tends to improve at T-Mobile Park (2.92), but he has a mixed track record overall, with a 4.76 ERA and 5.43 FIP through 57.1 innings this season. The Mariners’ bullpen has shown promise, ranking 11th in ERA, but can they deliver against the defending champions?
While T-Mobile Park is favorable for pitchers, it has negatively impacted Seattle’s offensive output, with the team slashing .208/.308/.348 at home. They average just 3.70 runs per game, which is a significant factor in their ranking as 25th in runs scored. The Mariners also hold the bottom position in batting average, 18th in OBP, and 28th in slugging percentage. However, they excel in drawing walks and stolen bases. The challenge remains: can they find their rhythm at a crucial moment?
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Best Bets for Texas Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners
With 17 months since deGrom last pitched in the MLB, expectations should be tempered. His outing may be brief and potentially ineffective, especially considering the Rangers’ struggling bullpen. Seattle only needs to remain competitive until Texas pulls deGrom from the game, which may provide them with opportunities to score.
The Mariners boast a strong home record at 42-29, largely due to their pitchers’ impressive 2.78 ERA at T-Mobile Park. During their last matchup in June, they limited the Rangers to just seven runs in three games. With Hancock’s solid home ERA (2.92) and a reliable bullpen, the Mariners could very well secure a vital win.
