Texas Rangers (43-51) vs. Seattle Mariners (51-45)
It is the second contest of a three-game set between the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers on Tuesday. These teams played on Monday night, but this preview was written prior to the conclusion of that contest.
Seattle entered the series 7-3 in their last 10, losing all three games over the weekend to the Houston Astros. However, they were riding a 14-game winning streak coming out of the break that helped catapult the club into the third wildcard spot in the American League. They are second in the AL West, 13.0 games behind the Houston Astros.
The Texas Rangers hope to get on a winning streak like that but are 3-7 in their last 10 entering the series. The Rangers are 7.0 games behind Seattle in the wildcard sta ndings and have not done themselves any favors the season, dropping five straight to the Mariners and are 2-8 in the last 10 meetings between these clubs.
The Texas Rangers defeated the Oakland Athletics on Sunday, 11-8, opening the first four games after the All-Star break at 2-2. That was a welcome sight after losing five of their final seven games heading into the break. However, this club needs to get on a roll if they are going to make some headway in the wildcard race.
Oh my Josh! pic.twitter.com/vy7LdLs8Eg
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) July 24, 2022
Texas will start right-hander Dane Dunning, who is 1-6 with a 4.42 ERA in 18 starts. The right-hander has made two starts in July and has not looked very effective, allowing seven earned runs in 7.2 innings pitched. He has a 2.35 WHIP. This has been a disappointing turn of events for Dunning, who closed June by allowing two runs or fewer in three of his final four starts.
The Rangers are going to need to provide some offensive support in this game, and they have a decent offense, 13th in runs scored per game (4.62). It has been the power game that has boosted this club, as they are eighth in homeruns hitting 121 and 95 games. That has helped the club to a .401 slugging percentage, 12th overall. However, this is a team that is simply not getting on base, 18th in team batting average (.240) and 17th in OPS (.702).