MLB Predictions: Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers

The Seattle Mariners (36-47) and Texas Rangers (48-35) will continue a three-game American League West series Wednesday night at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET

Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers

The Seattle Mariners are 2-9 on the road with a betting total of 8 to 8.5

Seattle picked up a 9-2 victory over Texas as +147 road underdogs in the series opener Tuesday, while going OVER the betting total for the ninth time in 10 contests. The Mariners were led by designated hitter Kendrys Morales offensively, who hit two home runs and finished with six RBIs. “I feel great,” commented Morales. “Right now the pain is not there in my back.” All nine of the team’s starters finished with at least one hit, which included outfielder Raul Ibanez launching his 20th round tripper. Seattle is 2-9 on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5, with the OVER going 6-5 in that situation.

Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (8-4, 2.70 ERA) hasn’t earned a decision in his last two efforts, including a 4-2 home loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates last time out, as he allowed two runs and six hits over seven frames. The right-hander is 6-2 with a 2.42 ERA in 10 road games, issuing 13 walks and striking out 64 batters in 67 combined innings. In 36 career starts versus the Rangers, Hernandez has tallied a losing 12-18 record and 3.87 ERA, including a 5-2 home defeat on May 25.

Texas has alternated wins and losses over its last four games, but the club went just 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position last night. “By the time it was the middle of the game, we were just playing catching up,” commented Rangers outfielder David Murphy. The Rangers are now a half-game back of the Oakland Athletics in the division standings. It’s important to point out that the club is 30-12 in this series when playing at home since the start of the 2009 campaign. Texas is 81-37 in its last 118 games following a loss.

Rangers starting pitcher Derek Holland (6-4, 3.14 ERA) has led the club to back-to-back wins, including a 2-0 road victory over the New York yankees last time out, as he allowed two hits in throwing a complete game shutout. The left-hander is 2-3 with a 3.40 ERA in seven home starts, issuing 10 walks and striking out 42 batters in 45 combined frames. In 14 career games (10 starts) versus the Mariners, Holland is 8-2 with a 3.39 ERA, including a triumph over Hernandez in his last such effort.