Texas Rangers (43-51) vs. Seattle Mariners (51-45)
It is a battle in the American League between two teams fighting for a playoff spot when the Texas Rangers take on the Seattle Mariners. Seattle came out of the All-Star break as the hottest team in baseball after winning 14 straight games, but they took it on the chin over the weekend against the Houston Astros, dropping all three games, including an 8-5 decision on Sunday.
The Texas Rangers defeated the Oakland Athletics on Sunday, 11-8, avoiding the sweep. The Rangers enter the series 3-7 in their last 10, but have been a solid team on the road, going 22-25. Seattle currently holds the third wildcard spot in the American League with Texas 7.0 games behind.
The Mariners have dominated this series, winning fiv e straight games against the Rangers and are 8-2 in the last 10 meetings between these clubs. This is why it is not surprising that they enter as the favorite at -145 with the line set for Texas it +125.
The Texas Rangers split their first four games following the All-Star break, but look for a little sweet revenge against the Seattle Mariners. Before the break, the Rangers were swept at home by Seattle, losing the four games by a combined total of 23-12. This series now shifts to Seattle where the Mariners took two of three against the Rangers earlier in the year (April 19-21).
Back in the win column. #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/nE6Dy40pJd
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) July 24, 2022
Texas is looking to build a little momentum and will send right-hander Glenn Otto to the hill on Monday. Otto is 4-6 with a 5.40 ERA in 13 starts. July has not been a great month for the right-hander, as he has allowed at least three runs in three of his four starts, giving up 12 earned runs in 19.1 innings, posting a 5.59 ERA. That means he is going to need a little help from his bullpen, and the Rangers have a solid group of relievers. The bullpen ERA is 3.77.
Texas ranks 19th overall in runs allowed per game (4.54), but has been slightly better on offense, 13th overall in runs per game (4.60). It has been the power of this team that has been driving the offense, as they are eighth in homeruns with 121. That includes hittin g 12 over their last 12 games.