Mariners like to stay hot against struggling Rangers

Do you remember the 2023 All-Star game? The American League team consisted of the Rangers and four other random players. The team the Mariners will meet this weekend is not as strong.

The 2024 Rangers

The Rangers won the World Series in 2023. Last season, the Rangers had 2nd and 3rd places for runs, HRs, BAs, and OPS. This year their statistics for these measures range between 15th and 17th place out of 30. On June 13, 2023, Texas’ W-L record was 41-25. This year it is 32-35.

Injuries

Injuries have slowed the Rangers down this year. RHP Jacob DeGrom is not ready to return. RHP Jon Gray just came off the IL. Shortstop Corey Seager's hamstring kept him out of four games, though he returned last night. Third baseman, Josh Jung, sustained a broken wrist after being hit by a pitch. Outfielder Evan Carter has been out with a back injury.

The Mariners have injury issues too. Jorge Polanco will likely go on a rehab assignment before rejoining the team. Ty France is out with a fractured heel. The team expects him back on June 18th or so. Dylan Moore, Ryan Bliss, and Tayler Locklear cover these infield spots.

The Mariners do not expect LHP Gabe Speier’s return until the All-Star break. RHP Bryan Woo’s arm came clean in his MRI, but the team wants to be cautious. Emerson Hancock will pitch Thursday night against the White Sox. Andres Munoz is day-to-day.

Mariners vs Rangers: Starting Pitching

Friday June 14

• Texas' LHP Andrew Heaney has a 4.06 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. In 62 innings pitched, he allowed 33 runs (nine home runs), 15 walks, and struck 58 batters out. In his recent outing against the Giants, he allowed five hits, three runs, and one walk in five innings while striking five out.
• Mariners' RHP Luis Castillo, the “Rock,” has a 3.35 ERA and a WHIP of 1.16. He has pitched 83.1 innings this season. Batters earned 33 runs (11 home runs) and 23 walks. Castillo struck his opponents out 85 times. In his last game, he struggled and allowed the Mariners to lose the lead.

Saturday, June 15

• RHP Nathan Eovaldi has a 2.68 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. In 57 innings, Eovaldi allowed 17 runs (five home runs) and 20 walks. He struck out 58 batters. He earned the Rangers’ sole win against the Giants.  In Texas’ 7-2 win, he allowed only five hits, and one walk over seven innings. He struck five batters out.
• RHP George Kirby will take the mound for Seattle. He has a 3.81 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. In 80 innings pitched, he allowed 34 runs, nine of which were home runs, and seven walks, striking 78 batters out.

Sunday, June 16

• RHP Dane Dunning pitched 54.1 innings this season. He has a 4.80 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. This season, Dunning has allowed 33 runs, four home runs, hit four players, walked 26 opponents, and struck 59 batters out. Dunning had a tough start on Tuesday against the Dodgers. In the 3.2 innings he pitched, he allowed six runs.
• RHP Logan Gilbert will pitch for the Mariners. In 90 innings pitched, Gilbert has allowed 33 hits, 11 of which have been home runs, and 20 walks. He has struck out 84 batters. His ERA is 3.19 and his WHIP is .97.

Mariners vs Rangers: Hitters to watch

Rangers

• Third baseman Josh Smith currently has the highest batting average on the team at .290 with an OPS of .810.
• Shortstop Corey Seager has 14 home runs, 33 RBIs, a .271 batting average, and an OPS of .290. After the Rangers lost to the Dodgers 15-2 on Tuesday, they beat the LAD 3-2 when Seager returned to the lineup and earned all three points with a three-run home run.
• Second baseman, Marcus Semien, is also hot with 49 runs (11 home runs), 37 RBIs, 25 walks, a batting average of .25,7 and a .755 OPS.
• Right fielder, Adolis Garcia, leads the team with 40 RBIs. He has 13 home runs and stolen five bases despite having a .211 batting average and a .679 OPS.
• Catcher Jonah Heim and Centerfielder Leody Taveras are also leading the team offensively.

Mariners

• Cal Raleigh leads the Mariners with 42 RBIs and 12 home runs. Raleigh has a BA of .212 and an OPS of .700. He was the walk-off hero again on June 11 against the White Sox. The next night, his run in the seventh led to another Seattle win. Raleigh attributes some of his success to being a dumb hitter rather than a player who overthinks.

Julio Rodriguez has a BA of .268 with 74 hits, five home runs, and 25 RBI. He has stolen 16 bases thus far this year.

Luke Raley has played extremely well of late. His BA is .234, his OPS is .752. He has 48 hits, 25 RBIs, five stolen bases, and seven home runs. His perfect bunt-just past the pitcher-reduced a four-run lead to two in the Mariners’ first game against the White Sox.

Josh Rojas has 43 hits to date, nine of which are doubles, with two triples, and three home runs. He has also been playing 3rd base with great success.

Mitch Haniger's RBI count of 30 is second only to Cal Raleigh. He was the pinch hitter in the tenth inning in the Mariners’ third game against the White Sox. His hit into left field allowed Luke Raley to score and earn Seattle another walk-off win at 2-1.

Dylan Moore's season has been great. Watch out for the Dad power! Congratulations on the birth of your third child!

Fathers' Day Weekend

Happy Fathers' Day to all the dads coming to T-Mobile Park this weekend as players or fans and those who watch from home! May the home-field advantage give the Mariners' power for a sweep!