Hisashi Iwakuma (2-2, 4.47 ERA) and Cole Hamels (6-7, 3.76 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Seattle Mariners (50-59) and the Texas Rangers (54-53) at Safeco Field. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 7 and can be seen on RTNW and FSSW.
Iwakuma pitched 8.2 innings in his last outing, surrendering one run, striking out eight and walking one in a 4-1 defeat to the Twins. Nelson Cruz (.324, 59 Rs, 31 HRs, 67 RBIs, 3 SBs) continued his strong play Wednesday, going 2 for 5 with two runs and one stolen base. Hamels went 7.2 innings, surrendering five runs, striking out six and walking one in a 9-7 defeat to the Giants in his most recent start. Mitch Moreland (.287, 36 Rs, 16 HRs, 57 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate for the Rangers, going 2 for 4 Wednesday with one RBI.
The odds for Seattle and Texas are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. Within its division, Seattle has a record of 21-21 SU. The Mariners have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 4.9 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 3.7 runs per game. Turning to the pitchers, opponents have consistently been struck out by the Mariners, who rank fifth in the AL in strikeouts per game with 7.9.
The Rangers are 17-26 against AL West rivals. Offensively, the Rangers have really sputtered in division games. They have decreased their season average of 4.5 runs per game by averaging 3.9 in those contests. The Rangers allow 4.8 runs per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 6.3 runs per game during that span.
The Mariners have controlled the season series, 5-1. The Mariners have a 12-15 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Hamels takes the mound. Iwakuma (RHP) will be on the hill against the Rangers, who have a 36-31 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Sea
Notes
The Rangers won their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Mariners are 21-19. The Rangers are 20-16 in close games this season.
The Mariners managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Rangers who are coming in with an 11-8 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Rangers are 10-42. The Mariners have a 14-36 record when opponents outhit them.
Seattle and Texas both rank in the top 10 of the league in home runs. Seattle sits at sixth with 123 home runs this season and Texas ranks 10th with 112.
Ranking 12th, Seattle is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.25 per game. Texas ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 8.69.
Ranking 19th, Seattle is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.701). Texas ranks in the top 10 at 10th with an OPS of .730.
When the Rangers allow at least one home run, they are 29-41. When the Mariners allow one or more homers, they have a 24-49 record.
