The Rangers Re-Arranged: What Will That Mean for the Mariners?

This past offseason, the Texas Rangers did some re-arranging. They brought in four new starting pitchers and three new position players. The team is feeling confident. We will see how these additions affect the games against the Mariners.

Today, Logan Gilbert will start against Jon Gray. Wednesday, George Kirby will start with Andrew Heaney. The Rangers are still deciding who will pitch against the Mariners on Wednesday, but Luis Castillo will start for Seattle. Two of their best new pitchers are currently injured: Jake Odorizzi and Jacob deGrom.

Jon Gray (RHP) has an ERA of 4.40. He uses four pitches: 4-seam fastball in the mid-nineties (47.1%); slider (30%); changeup (14.7%) and a curveball (8.2%).

Andrew Heaney (LHP) has an ERA of 5.52. He uses three pitches: 4-seam fastball at 92 MPH (62.7%); changeup (19%); and a slider (18.3%). Heaney came to Texas from the Dodgers.

These players will likely form the lineup based on the Rangers’ series versus the Angels. The names in italics are new to the Rangers this year. Batting average listed.

• Marcus Semien (2B) .286

• Robbie Grossman (RF) .245

• Nathaniel Lowe (1B) .262

• Adolis Garcia (DH) .260

• Josh Jung (3B) .258

• Jonah Heim (C) .313

• Ezequiel Duran (SS) .318

• Leody Taveras (CF) .300

• Travis Jankowski (LF) / Josh H. Smith (LF) .309 / .154

The Rangers’ current Win/Loss record is 20-13. They have had mixed results in the series they have played.

• Rangers swept: Philadelphia, Kansas City

• Won two or three games: Kansas City (2), Houston (2), Oakland, (2) Yankees (3), Angels (2)

• Won one game: Baltimore, Cubs

• The Reds swept the Rangers.

• They split a two-game series with the Diamondbacks.

The Mariners’ quality pitching will be key for this series, and it is unlikely that the Mariners position players will struggle against their pitchers. Texas hits well so keeping the score up for Seattle will be the challenge.

After this series, the Mariners will have faced each of their rivals in the American League West this season. Go Mariners!