Seattle Mariners Gameday Preview versus the Rangers

Initial Thoughts:

Last night was the quintessential Mariners baseball game. Felix gives up one run and nearly throws a complete game, and the Ms offense can’t manage more than two hits against a middling starter.

The Ms have now lost 4 straight after a phenomenal start to the month of June. They need to start righting the ship tonight, otherwise this team will continue losing credibility.

Game Details:

Seattle Mariners: 34-33.

Texas Rangers: 33-34.

Game Time: 7:10 PM Pacific. Location: Seattle, Washington. Safeco Field.

MATCHUPS:

Pitching:

Seattle Mariners RHP Erasmo Ramirez (1-4, 5.97 ERA) v. Texas Rangers LHP Joe Saunders (0-2, 3.60 ERA).

EDGE: Saunders. I cannot believe I just said that. Ramirez did pitch 4 2/3 innings of scoreless ball against the Rays, but did so while walking 5 in a no-decision. Saunders has been serviceable for the Rangers this season, and the Mariners can only hope to have his number like so many other teams did when he still played for the Ms.

Projected Lineups:

James Jones 8

Stefen Romero DH

Robinson Cano 4

Logan Morrison 3

Kyle Seager 5

Cole Gillespie 9

Dustin Ackley 7

Mike Zunino 2

Brad Miller 6

Of Note: This Mariners lineup has been bouncing around constantly over the last few weeks, the only consistent cog being Cano batting 3rd in the lineup, and more often than not James Jones at the top of the order. In a very general sense, this team can’t hit with consistency.

Rangers:

Michael Choice DH

Elvis Andrus 6

Shin-Soo Choo 7

Adrian Beltre 5

Alex Rios 9

Brad Snyder 3

Robinson Chirinos 2

Leonys Martin 8

Rougned Odor 6

Of Note: The Rangers managed only 4 hits in last night’s contest, but pushed one across when it mattered most in the 9th inning, sending King Felix Hernandez to his second loss of the season. Choo, who started of the season well, has been struggling of late as his average has now dropped into the .260s.

Other Notes:

With this losing streak the Mariners have fallen to 6 games back of the Athletics for the division lead. Though they remain only 1.5 games back of a wild card berth, there are four teams ahead of them in the Wild-Card standings, including the Angels and the New York Yankees.

Final Thoughts:

Erasmo was better last time out, and we all know what Saunders is capable of– or lack thereof. If Ramirez can push it to 6 innings and keep the Ms within a run or two, I think they snap this losing streak before the big home crowd.

Score Prediction:

Mariners 4, Rangers 3.