Derek Holland (4-4, 4.78 ERA) and Hisashi Iwakuma (4-4, 4.41 ERA) start in the last of a three-game series between the Texas Rangers (33-22) and the Seattle Mariners (31-24) at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers won the last game 10-4, and Texas leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 3:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jun. 5 and can be seen on FSSW and RTNW.
Holland pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering one run, striking out two and walking two in a 9-2 win over the Indians. Ian Desmond (.310, 41 Rs, 7 HRs, 34 RBIs, 11 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 3 for 5 with one run and one RBI. Iwakuma went 7.0 innings, surrendering four runs and striking out five in a 16-4 win over the Padres in his most recent start. Robinson Cano (.290, 41 Rs, 16 HRs, 48 RBIs) went 1 for 5 yesterday.
The odds for Texas and Seattle are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. Within its division, Texas has a record of 14-15 SU. The Rangers have no trouble scoring as they rank third in the AL in home offense with 5.4 runs per game. Texas’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Rangers, who lead the AL in strikeouts per game with 6.9.
The Mariners are 16-10 against AL West rivals. Offensively, they average 0.0 runs per game, which is good for fourth in the AL. The Mariners are tough outs for opponents, ranking third in the AL with 9.8 hits per road game. The Mariners allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span.
The Rangers lead the season series, 5-3.
Predictions: SU Winner – SEA
Notes
Seattle has won 58% (15-11) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Texas has won 65% (17-9) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Mariners managed to give up seven walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Rangers who are heading in with a 2-0 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Mariners are 5-18. The Rangers have a 10-17 record when opponents outhit them.
Seattle tops the league in home runs this season with 81. Texas ranks in the bottom half with 60.
Texas and Seattle both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Texas sits at 10th with 8.91 hits per game and Seattle ranks ninth with 9.04.
Ranking 10th, Texas is in the top 10 of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.747). Seattle ranks in the top five with an OPS of .780.
The Mariners are 20-19 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Rangers are 20-20 when they allow at least one homer.
