The Seattle Mariners (78-75) are set to aim for their second consecutive road series victory as they take on the Texas Rangers (73-80) in the second game of their three-game series on Saturday night. This matchup will unfold at Globe Life Field, starting at 7:05 PM ET.
For the Mariners, Emerson Hancock, with a record of 3-4 and an ERA of 4.83, will take the mound. The Rangers will respond with veteran pitcher Max Scherzer, who holds a record of 2-4 and a 3.95 ERA.
Seattle has been successful against Texas recently, boasting an impressive 8-2 record in their last 10 encounters.
**This preview was prepared prior to Friday’s game.**
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Seattle Fights to Keep Playoff Aspirations Alive
The Mariners faced a setback with a series loss to the Yankees after their previous win against Texas. Nevertheless, they remain in contention, sitting just two games behind the Twins for the third AL Wildcard spot and five games behind the Houston Astros in the AL West standings. This season, Seattle has excelled against the Rangers, winning eight of their first ten matchups. With only nine games remaining in the regular season, a victory on Saturday is crucial to their playoff ambitions.
Seattle’s offense is generating an average of 4.07 runs per game. The team’s .222 batting average ranks 20th in the league, while their on-base percentage of .310 places them 15th, and a slugging percentage of .372 puts them at 26th.
Julio Rodriguez leads the Mariners with a .265 batting average, while Cal Raleigh stands out with 30 home runs and 93 RBIs.
Seattle’s pitching ranks among the league’s best, allowing an average of 3.45 runs per game. Opponents are hitting just .220 against the Mariners, which leads the league, and their 3.51 ERA is also the best in the MLB, accompanied by a 1.08 WHIP.
In his last outing, Hancock allowed six hits and three runs over five innings, contributing to a close 5-4 victory against the Rangers. A stronger performance will be necessary for Saturday’s matchup.
Victor Robles is questionable for this contest due to a hand injury.
Texas Aims for Back-to-Back Series Victories
The Rangers have rebounded from a series loss to the Mariners with a series win against the Toronto Blue Jays. Currently, the defending champions find themselves seven games away from the final AL Wildcard spot. To reach the playoffs, they must win their remaining games while also relying on favorable outcomes from teams ahead of them.
The Rangers are averaging 4.17 runs per game. Their .236 batting average is 22nd in the league, with a .304 on-base percentage ranking 23rd, and a .376 slugging percentage sitting at 24th.
Corey Seager is leading the Rangers with a .278 batting average and 30 home runs, while Adolis Garcia has contributed 80 RBIs.
On the pitching side, Texas has struggled, allowing an average of 4.27 runs per game. Opponents are hitting .242 against the Rangers, placing them 19th in the league. Their 4.36 ERA ranks 24th, and their 1.29 WHIP is 21st.
In his last appearance, Scherzer pitched four innings, giving up five hits and two runs, which led to a narrow 5-4 defeat against the Mariners. The team will rely on him for a strong performance to secure a win in this critical game.
Smart Betting Insights for Mariners vs. Rangers
The Rangers have been successful at home, winning four of their last five games, while the Mariners have faced difficulties, losing two of their last three. Texas has demonstrated better offensive capabilities lately, scoring 15 runs in their past three games, whereas the Mariners have only managed six runs during the same span.
Because Hancock has struggled on the mound in recent outings, especially away from home, the Rangers may have the upper hand offensively. He has allowed 14 runs across his last three starts on the road. In his only start against the Rangers this season, he gave up three runs, which could be a challenge for him.
On the other hand, the Mariners may find it tough to produce runs against right-handed pitchers, particularly since Scherzer has been effective in his recent performances. He has allowed just six runs in his last three starts and eight runs in his recent four home appearances. He has limited the Mariners to three runs in his last two starts against them, which suggests he may keep their offense quiet. Expect Texas to cover the money line in this matchup.
