Martin Perez (8-10, 4.45 ERA) and Felix Hernandez (9-4, 3.14 ERA) are on the hill in the last of a three-game series between the Texas Rangers (79-54) and the Seattle Mariners (68-64) at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers won the last game 8-7, and Texas leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 2:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 31 and can be seen on FSSW and RTNW.
Perez pitched 5.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering six runs and striking out two in a 12-1 defeat to the Indians. Adrian Beltre (.290, 70 Rs, 24 HRs, 87 RBIs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 3 for 5 with three runs, one home run, and three RBIs. Hernandez went 7.1 innings, surrendering one run, striking out five and walking two in a 3-1 win over the White Sox in his last outing. Robinson Cano (.302, 86 Rs, 30 HRs, 83 RBIs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
Seattle takes on Texas as a -125 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at nine runs. The Rangers have an overall money line of +2,833 and a record as the underdog of 40-34. Texas has recorded a disappointing 1-3 record as the underdog over its last 10 games.
In games where it is the favorite, Seattle has a 38-32 record and an overall money line of -165. They played poorly as the favorite over their last 10 games with a 1-3 record and a 3-7 record SU. Offensively, they average four runs per game on the road, which is fourth in the AL. The Mariners are tough outs for opponents, ranking fifth in the AL with 9.0 hits per road game. Seattle is excellent at drawing walks with 3.0 per game, ranking fifth in the AL.
The Rangers have controlled the season series, 10-4. The Rangers have a 59-37 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Hernandez takes the mound. Perez (LHP) will be on the hill against the Mariners, who have a 20-28 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – SEA, O/U – Over
Notes
In their last game, the Mariners lost by a margin of one run. The Rangers are 30-8 in one-run games. The Mariners have a 23-25 record in close games.
When leading after seven innings, Texas is 37-27, while Seattle is 29-31.
The Mariners are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded six strikeouts. The Rangers have a record of 31-17 when opponents’ pitchers have six strikeouts or less.
When they are outhit, the Mariners are 15-45. The Rangers have a 20-41 record when opponents outhit them.
Texas ranks in the top 10 of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 172 this season. Seattle ranks in the top five at fourth with 178.
Texas and Seattle both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Texas sits at eighth with 8.86 hits per game and Seattle ranks ninth with 8.78.
Texas and Seattle both rank in the top half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Texas sits at 12th with an OPS of .751, and Seattle ranks 11th with an OPS of .753.
The Mariners are 45-52 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Rangers are 46-44 when they allow at least one homer.
