The Texas Rangers (66-87) are on the road to face the Seattle Mariners (83-70) at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday. The Rangers took Tuesday’s series opener 5-0, their fifth head-to-head victory in 17 games this season. Reliever Tyson Miller threw 3.2 scoreless innings to get the win. Josh Jung was 3 for 4 with two home runs and five RBIs in the win. Mitch Haniger went 2 for 4 for the Mariners.
ON THE MOUND
Martin Perez (12-6, 2.90 ERA) is slated to get the start for Texas. The LHP allowed three runs over six innings in his last start, a 5-3 road win over the Angels on Thursday. He scattered five hits while striking out five and walking three in the no-decision. Over three previous starts against the Mariners this season, Perez has allowed only four earned runs over 17 innings (0-0, 2.12). He has struck out 23 and walked 11.For Seattle, righty George Kirby (7-4, 3.30 ERA) will toe the rubber. He has made three appearances against the Rangers this season, all as the starter, giving up four runs over 16.2 innings (1-0, 2.16) with 12 strikeouts and two walks. In his last start on Thursday, Kirby took a no-decision on the road against the Athletics. He threw 2.1 innings and gave up five runs on seven hits, striking out one and walking three in the 9-5 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Texas has averaged 3.8 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.4. Against righties like Kirby this season, the Rangers have a .680 OPS. Nathaniel Lowe is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .806 OPS in 383 at-bats. Seattle is averaging 5.6 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.2 for the season, with an improved slash line (.265/.369/.406). The M’s have a .708 OPS against southpaws in 2022. With a .928 OPS over 120 at-bats, Eugenio Suarez has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Texas is 34-42 in away games in 2022, scoring 4.6 runs per game while allowing 4.2 runs. Seattle has gone 39-33 at home this season, averaging 3.8 runs per game while surrendering 3.6. In the last 10 meetings at T-Mobile Park, Seattle is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 3.8-3.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rangers are fourth in the AL West, 35 games behind the division-leading Astros. The Mariners are second in the AL West, 18 games behind the Astros. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting third with a magic number of zero.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Texas Rangers
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.