The Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners, the top two teams in the AL West, will face off in Arlington for a three-game series starting Tuesday. The Rangers currently hold a slight edge in the standings with a 12-11 record, while the Mariners are 11-11.
Seattle is coming off a hot week, having swept the Cincinnati Reds and taking two of three from the Colorado Rockies. The Rangers, meanwhile, have gone 5-5 in their last ten games.
The pitching matchups for the series are as follows:
Game 1:
RHP Logan Gilbert (1-0, 2.33 ERA) vs. RHP Dane Dunning (2-1, 3.91 ERA)Game 2:
RHP Bryce Miller (3-1, 1.85 ERA) vs. RHP Jon Gray (0-1, 3.15 ERA)Game 3:
RHP Luis Castillo (1-4, 4.40 ERA) vs. LHP Andrew Heaney (0-1, 6.35 ERA)The Rangers will be looking to get off to a good start in the series with Dunning on the mound in Game 1. Gray, who has been excellent in his last two starts, could move to the bullpen if the Rangers need length from their starters. Heaney, who has struggled in his first few outings, will need to give the Rangers a solid outing in Game 3.
The Mariners will counter with Gilbert, Miller, and Castillo, three of their most consistent starting pitchers. Gilbert has been a bedrock early, while Miller has thrown six innings of one run ball in his last two outings. Castillo, the usual ace of the staff, earned his first victory of the season with a solid seven-inning, shutout performance against the Rockies.
The Rangers are slowly getting closer to full strength with the return of Nathaniel Lowe and Jonah Heim. Josh Sborz could also come off the IL during the series. With Lowe, Heim, and Sborz back in the mix, Texas will be a step closer to having their full, expected roster on the field.
This is the first time that these two teams have met since the final series of the 2023 regular season, where Seattle spoiled Texas’ pursuit of the AL West crown. Now Texas is seeking a repeat World Series trip, and will strive to maintain a hold on first place against their division rivals.
Key Storylines:
* Can the Rangers maintain their hold on first place in the AL West?
* Will the Mariners continue their hot streak and make a run at the division lead?
* How will the Rangers’ pitching staff fare against the Mariners’ lineup?
* Can the Mariners’ offense keep up with the Rangers’ potent attack?
* Will the Rangers be able to get their injured players back on the field?
Prediction:
The Rangers and Mariners are two of the most evenly matched teams in the AL West. The Rangers have a slight edge in the standings, but the Mariners are playing with a lot of confidence right now. I think this series will be close, but I give the edge to the Rangers. They have a slightly better pitching staff and a more experienced lineup. I predict the Rangers will win two of the three games and maintain their hold on first place in the AL West.
