Felix Hernandez (13-6, 3.13 ERA) and Colby Lewis (12-4, 4.68 ERA) are on the hill in the last of a three-game series between the Seattle Mariners (51-59) and the Texas Rangers (54-54) at Safeco Field. The Rangers won the last game 11-3 and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 1:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 9 and can be seen on RTNW and FSSW.
Hernandez pitched 6.2 innings in his last outing, surrendering four runs, striking out nine and walking one in an 8-7 win over the Rockies. Nelson Cruz (.325, 61 Rs, 32 HRs, 68 RBIs, 3 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run. Lewis went 6.0 innings, surrendering seven runs, striking out three and walking one in a 12-9 win over the Astros in his most recent start. Mitch Moreland (.294, 37 Rs, 16 HRs, 57 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate for the Rangers, going 2 for 2 yesterday.
Seattle is a -170 favorite against Texas and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Mariners have an overall money line of -1,503 and a record as the favorite of 28-36. Within its division, Seattle has a 12-13 record as favorite and a 22-21 record SU. The Mariners have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 5.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 3.8 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.
In games where it is the underdog, Texas has a 46-42 record and an overall money line of +1,583. They played solid baseball as the underdog over their last 10 games with a 5-1 record, and a 7-3 record SU. Offensively, the Rangers have really sputtered in division games. They have decreased their season average of 4.4 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 6.1 runs per game during that span.
The Mariners have controlled the season series, 6-2. The Mariners have a 38-44 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Lewis takes the mound. Hernandez (RHP) will be on the hill against the Rangers, who have a 36-32 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Sea, O/U – Over
Notes
Seattle won its last game in a shutout, its eighth of the season. Texas has been shut out six times this season.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Mariners are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Rangers have a 5-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they are outhit, the Rangers are 10-43. The Mariners have a 14-36 record when opponents outhit them.
Both falling in the top 10 of the league based on total home runs this season, Seattle ranks sixth with 126 homers and Texas is 10th with 112.
Ranking 13th, Seattle is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.26 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 (.704). Texas ranks in the top 10 at 10th with an OPS of .728.
The Rangers are 29-42 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Mariners are 24-49 when they allow at least one homer.
