Mariners vs Rangers Series Preview: Two teams going opposite ways

The Mariners are set to play the Texas Rangers in a three-game series. The two teams are going opposite directions with the Mariners buying in advance of the deadline, and the Rangers selling. So what does that mean for their three-game series?

Well, things will be set in stone by the time the series starts. The trade deadline is Friday the 30th, at 1:00 PM Pacific, so any moves will have already been made by the time the series starts at 5:05 PM.

The Mariners are buying, and the Rangers are selling. What will that mean in the series?

Normally, you always have to be cautious of one man on the Rangers. He’s the guy you start your plan around. Now, Joey Gallo has been traded to the Yankees, leaving their lineup much less dangerous than it was in years past. He didn’t play great against the Mariners, hitting just .219 against them on the season and .221 in his career. With that kind of power, you still always have to be wary. Not anymore.

We could also see the Rangers top pitcher of 2021, Kyle Gibson, be traded away. He’s been having a great season and could net them a decent prospect haul if he is traded in the next 24 hours. If the Mariners go in knowing that, all of a sudden, they don’t have to face him, it makes the series even more manageable.

On the other side, the Mariners have been making trades to improve in both the short-term and the long-term. They traded in the division with Houston for Joe Smith and Abraham Toro, before following it soon after with a trade for Tyler Anderson. It sounds like Dipoto is going to try and make a few more deals happen before the series starts, so keeping an eye on Twitter and MLB Trade Rumors is a great idea.

The Mariners are going for it this year, and it makes sense. They have a chance to make the playoffs for the first time since 2001 but have admitted they don’t want to hurt their long-term window. Texas is selling off some of their high-end players, building for the future. When the rest of the division looks strong, it’s the right choice and the smart thing to do.

As for the series itself, we will be seeing Gilbert, Marco, and likely the newcomer Anderson throwing for the Mariners, against Allard, Gibson, and Foltynewicz. If Gibson is gone, the offense should continue to hit well as they did against Houston.

There are just over 24 hours left before the deadline. These teams are smartly going in opposite directions, and it wouldn’t shock anyone to see them make another move or two before the trade deadline happens.