J.A. Happ (0-0, 2.84 ERA) and Yovani Gallardo (1-1, 5.59 ERA) take the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Seattle Mariners (3-6) and the Texas Rangers (4-6) at Safeco Field. Action begins at 10:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 17 and can be seen on FSN-SW and ROOT-NW.
Happ pitched 6.1 innings in his most recent start, surrendering two runs and striking out one in a 5-4 defeat to the Athletics. Nelson Cruz (.294 ) had a good game Wednesday, going 2 for 3 with one run, one home run, and one RBI. Gallardo went 5.2 innings, surrendering two runs, striking out seven and walking one in a 6-2 win over the Astros in his last outing. Prince Fielder (.400, 3 Rs, 4 RBIs) went 1 for 3 Wednesday.
The odds for Seattle and Texas are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. Seattle’s batters do not strike out very often at home, with only 5.3 per game. As for the pitchers, opposing offenses that come to Safeco Field have been stifled by the Mariners, who have a team ERA of only 2.33 at home. The Mariners are the fourth-best team in the AL at limiting hits during home games, allowing only 6.3 hits per game to their opponents this season.
The Rangers are 4-6 against AL West foes.
Predictions: SU Winner – TEX
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Seattle is 2-0, while Texas is 2-4.
After a weak showing last week where they got in eight hits, the Mariners need to step it up. The Rangers have a record of 3-0 when opponents get eight hits or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Rangers are 1-6. The Mariners have a 2-6 record when opponents outhit them.
Texas ranks in the top half of the league at 15th when it comes to home runs, hitting eight this season. Seattle ranks in the top five at second with 14.
Seattle and Texas both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Seattle sits at 12th with 7.22 hits per game and Texas ranks 13th with 7.20.
Seattle and Texas both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Seattle sits at 21st with an OPS of .639 and Texas ranks 26th with an OPS of .625.
The Rangers are 1-4 when they allow at least one home run. The Mariners perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 1-5 record.
