Seattle Mariners: Series Preview Vs Texas Rangers
By Dan Hughes
Apr 8, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; The Seattle Mariners celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. Seattle defeated Los Angeles 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
The AL-West heavy schedule continues as the Mariners hit the road for a four-game series in Arlington against the Texas Rangers. The Mariners (6-5) are coming off a losing homestand and look to get their bats going against some Texas pitching that can be hitter-friendly. Here is the series preview for the M’s and Rangers.
Matchups
Game 1: Roenis Elias (0-1, 2.70 ERA) v. Colby Lewis (0-0, 0.00 ERA) 5:05 PM PDT
Elias looks to earn his first major league win as he opens the series for the Mariners. Lewis is making his first start since July of 2012, coming back from flexor tendon and hip replacement surgery. No one on the Mariners roster as more than 10 at-bats against Lewis over the last five seasons. Lewis will more than likely be on a pitch count of some kind and may not pitch past the 6th.
Game 2: Blake Beavan (0-0, 0.00 ERA) v. Robert Ross Jr. (0-0, 1.74 ERA) 5:05 PM PDT
Blake Beavan makes a spot start for the Mariners as he was called up from Triple-A Tacoma in pace of James Paxton. This could very well be Beavan’s only start for the Mariners this season, as Paxton, Taijuan Walker and Hisashi Iwakuma are all expected back within a week to 10 days. Ross Jr is a converted reliever, making his first start against Seattle.
Game 3: Felix Hernandez (3-0, 2.11 ERA) v. Yu Darvish (1-0, 0.00 ERA) 5:05 PM PDT
The King takes the hill against one team that has really given him fits. In 39 career games, Hernandez is 12-20 with an ERA of 4.18. Yu Darvish has struggled against the Mariners as well, posting a 3-3 record in seven starts with an ERA of 4.78. While this could be a dominating pitcher’s dual, it could get ugly as we watch both ace’s ERA’s inflate.
Game 4: Erasmo Ramirez (1-2, 5.63 ERA) v. Tanner Scheppers (0-1, 7.88 ERA) 11 AM PDT
Ramirez looks to bounce back after back-to-back shaky starts. Ramirez was actually very effective in his last start, after a rough first inning. Scheppers is another reliever-turned-starter that has had some success over the Mariners (1.69 ERA in 11 appearances). But he has struggled so far as a starter and the M’s hope to take advantage of that.
In Case You Missed It
- The Mariners may have some company in the Pacific NW if a group from Portland, Oregon has their way.
- The bottom of the Mariners lineup has been the surprisingly productive part of the lineup so far this season.
- It was a good week for fantasy baseball teams that have King Felix. How does this week look for Mariners owners?
- The Mariners dropped two of three to Oakland, winning Felix’s start, but dropping back-to-back games for the first time this season.
- Hector Noesi was traded to the Rangers and was placed on the 25-man roster. Would be nice to face him at least once. The trade called for a player to be named or cash. Here’s who I’d like to see in return.
- Felix and Macklemore surprised some Seattle-area kids while filming a PSA about bullying.