Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers

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Apr 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA;Seattle Mariners right fielder Nelson Cruz is greeted after a home run in the fourth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners (3-6) return home Friday night after getting swept in Los Angeles by the Dodgers. The Mariners will look to put their poor play behind them this weekend when they host the Texas Rangers (4-6). The M’s enter the 3-game series 1.5 games back of the first place Oakland A’s in the American League West.

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The Rangers have had a slow start to the season as well, and enter tonight’s ballgame just half a game ahead of the M’s. Texas was hoping for a rebound year in 2015 after finishing last in AL West a year ago, but ace Yu Darvish’s recent Tommy John Surgery has tempered expectations. The Rangers have been snake bitten by injuries over the past 12 months, but they currently possess a lineup capable of giving Mariners’ pitchers trouble.

Today, SoDo Mojo will preview the key things to watch this weekend at Safeco Field. Among the topics discussed will be the M’s projected starting pitchers, Fernando Rodney, Nelson Cruz’s home run streak and what the Rangers have done thus far in 2015.

Next: Happ, King Felix and Pax-Man on Tap for M's

Apr 11, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Tom Wilhelmsen (54) pitches during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Happ, King Felix and Pax-Man on Tap for M’s

The Mariners have had spotty performances out of their starting pitchers so far this season, but hopefully the 3 pitchers who have performed the best in 2015 can put a stop to that this weekend. M’s fans are not used to poor outings from Seattle’s starters, and unfortunately, quality starts have been few and far between during the first 9 games.

J.A. Happ (0-0, 2.84 ERA) will get the ball in the opener on Friday night at Safeco Field. Happ has arguably been the M’s second best starter to date, although he has only made 1 start in a Mariners’ uniform. The 32-year-old southpaw allowed 2 runs on 7 hits across 6.1 innings of work last Saturday in Oakland. Happ struck out 1 and walked none against the A’s. Happ will never be a dominant pitcher, but I expect him to fare reasonably well this season in Seattle. The Safe is a pitcher friendly ballpark, and I think Happ has a great chance to start off on the right foot tonight against the Rangers.

Apr 6, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Felix Hernandez (1-0, 3.00 ERA) will toe the rubber for the M’s on Saturday night at the corner of Edgar and Dave. King Felix was brilliant in his debut outing of the season on Opening Day, but was plagued by ankle and quad issues last Sunday in Oakland. Hernandez’s immense ability is obvious, and I fully anticipate a return to greatness for the King this weekend in front of his loyal subjects at Safeco Field.

James Paxton (0-2, 5.11 ERA) will be the starting pitcher for the Mariners in the series finale with Texas on Sunday afternoon. Paxton is another pitcher on the M’s who has struggled with inconsistency in 2015. Pax-Man turned in a quality start against the Angels in his first outing of the season, but was touched up for 5 runs on Monday in Chavez Ravine. Paxton has all the tools necessary to be an elite hurler for the M’s, and I expect the Ladner, BC product to get back on track this Sunday in Seattle.

Next: This Series is Critical for Fernando Rodney

April 14, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (56) pitches the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

This Series is Critical for Fernando Rodney

The Fernando Rodney Experience has been the most frightening ride at the Mariners’ theme park so far this season. After starting the season with 2 drama free saves, he has self destructed over the past week. On Sunday afternoon in Oakland, Rodney entered the game with Seattle leading 7-3 in the 9th inning. The Mariners’ closer looked uncomfortable on the mound, and allowed the A’s to tie the game after surrendered 4 runs in the final frame. On Tuesday evening in Los Angeles, Rodney was once again called on to pitch the final inning, but this time the M’s lead was just 1 run. The flamboyant 9th inning man was pitiful, and blew the game for Seattle.

Groans from Mariners’ fans in Seattle could be heard after the archery enthusiast lost the game in Los Angeles. Since then, Manager Lloyd McClendon has made it abundantly clear he intends to leave Rodney as the club’s closer. However, if the 38-year-old stumbles again this weekend McClendon may be forced to make a chance.

I wrote an article yesterday detailing 5 viable options currently on the roster to supplant Rodney as the closer. At the end of the article is a poll, and Carson Smith is currently the landslide choice to be the M’s closer moving forward.

Fernando Rodney’s antics are fun for the players and fans, but if he is unable to right the ship this weekend, his arrow may not be the only thing leaving Safeco Field. The Mariners have one of the most vaunted bullpens in the game, and it seems irrational to hand the ball to the least reliable pitcher in the ‘pen with the game on the line.

Next: Nelson Cruz is Powering Seattle's Offense

Apr 13, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Nelson Cruz (23) celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in an interleague game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Nelson Cruz is Powering Seattle’s Offense

Nelson Cruz has been the lone bright spot for the Mariners over the past 3 games. Cruz is currently riding a 5-game home run streak, and he has shown no signs of slowing down. The 34-year-old is hitting .474 with 6 home runs and 9 RBI’s over his last 5 games. The Mariners’ record for consecutive games with a home run is 8, set by Ken Griffey Jr. in 1993. Cruz spent 8 years with the Texas Rangers, so you can bet he will be ultra motivated to tie The Kid’s record this weekend against his former club.

There was plenty of hype that surrounded Nelson Cruz entering this season, but so far he is exceeding even the loftiest of expectations. Cruz signed a 4 year $57 million dollar deal this winter after leading the Major Leagues in home runs last season with the Baltimore Orioles. Cruz clubbed 40 dingers in 2014, and I thought it would be impossible for him to come close to that number this season. However, he has shown incredible power over the last 5 games, and I think 35-40 home runs are possible. I am convinced he will find a way to go yard this weekend at Safeco Field.

Nelson Cruz has been unbelievable for the M’s, but the hitters around him in the lineup need to step up this weekend. Seattle enters tonight’s game with a team batting average of .210, and an on base percentage of .258. Cruz has hit 6 home runs but has only driven in 9 runs, and that simply not good enough. If the Mariners are going to get back into the win column this weekend, they are going to need to get more runners on base. That may sound simple, but the M’s have made it look very complicated lately.

Next: The 2015 Texas Rangers

Apr 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder (84) at bat against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The 2015 Texas Rangers

You may be wondering who are the 2015 Texas Rangers? The Rangers lineup is bolstered by perennial All Stars Adrian Beltre and Prince Fielder, but their starting rotation and bullpen are forgettable.

Apr 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) falls to his knee after swinging at the ball in the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum. Rangers win 10-1. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

Prince Fielder missed much of the 2014 season due to injury, but he has been great this season for the Rangers. Fielder is currently hitting .400 with 4 RBI’s across 40 at bats in 2015. The power numbers have not been there for the former home run derby champ, but don’t be surprised if he hits his first dinger of the season this weekend.

Adrian Beltre, Elvis Andrus and Shin Soo Choo have been dismal in 2015. They are 3 of the best hitters in the Rangers’ lineup, but Beltre, Andrus and Choo have combined to hit just .168 with 3 home runs and 8 RBI’s. That is not going to cut it for a Texas’ team that is relying heavily on their bats this season.

The pitching staff has not been terrible, but they have struggled to produce consistent results. Tonight’s starter Yovani Gallardo has been mediocre at best. Saturday’s starter Colby Lewis is putting together a nice season, but game 3 starter Ross Detwiler sports a 9.00 ERA after 2 starts. Overall, the bullpen has been solid, but closer Neftali Felix has been shaky.

Next: Final Notes

Aug 5, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; General view of Safeco Field exterior and the Edgar Martinez Drive street sign before the MLB game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Final Notes

Some Mariners’ fans are panicking right now, but I do not believe the players are too worried about their future. The M’s should have won the first 2 games of the Dodgers’ series, and had it not been for a ridiculous number of mental mistakes on Wednesday, they could have easily taken the finale as well.

The M’s made some unforgivable mistakes in Los Angeles, but they have to put that behind them. Thankfully, the players had a day off on Thursday, and hopefully that translates to a mentally refreshed team taking the field tonight.

The Seattle Mariners (3-6) will host the Texas Rangers in the opener of their 3-game series tonight at Safeco Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 pm Friday night at the corner of Edgar and Dave. J.A. Happ (0-0, 2.84 ERA) will get the ball for the Mariners for the second time this season. Yovani Gallardo (1-1, 5.59 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Rangers. The game will be broadcast locally on Root Sports Northwest, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch on connected devices.

Next: 5 Possible Replacements for Mariners’ Closer Fernando Rodney

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