Rangers vs. Mariners Odds
| Rangers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
+102 | 7.5 -120/ -102 | +1.5 -205 |
| Mariners Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
-120 | 7.5 -120 / -102 | -1.5 +168 |
Game 162 gets underway in this pivotal AL West matchup as the Seattle Mariners host the Texas Rangers.
After the Rangers beat the Mariners yesterday 6-1, Seattle's season is finished while Texas will clinch the division with a win or a Houston Astros loss.
Will the Rangers take care of business, or can the Mariners play spoiler in an otherwise meaningless game for them?
Here's a look at the odds and my Rangers vs. Mariners betting pick and prediction.
Texas Rangers
Texas hands the ball to right-hander Dane Dunning as it looks to clinch the division on Sunday. It's been the best season of Dunning's four-year career, going 12-6 with a 3.72 ERA and 1.26 WHIP.
I'm not sure how much faith I have in Dunning, but I trust him enough to limit the damage while the Rangers' powerhouse lineup gives him plenty of run support. Entering this matchup, they rank among the top three in the majors in runs scored per game, hits per game, BA, SLG, OPS and home runs.
Texas also just seems to have Seattle's number, winning eight of the past 10 meetings. While it is inaccurate to say that the Mariners have "nothing to play for" (contracts, pride, etc), the Rangers do have much more on the line today.
Seattle Mariners
Right-hander George Kirby takes the mound for Seattle and could be a good fade candidate. Yes, Kirby stepped up big against the Astros last week with a six-inning shutout performance en route to the Mariners' 6-2 win.
However, he is a pitcher who allowed three or more earned runs in six of past seven starts prior to that outing. Regression over the second half of the campaign should not have been that shocking given his 3.85 xERA and .259 xBA compared to his 3.46 ERA and .249 BA.
Furthermore, run support is not nearly as guaranteed for Kirby as it is for Dunning. Seattle isn't terrible at the dish, but it fails to crack the top 10 in the majors in runs scored per game, hits per game, BA, SLG, OPS and home runs.
Rangers vs. Mariners
Betting Pick & Prediction
This pitching matchup is more of a wash than the surface-level stats suggest. I would give a slight edge to Kirby, but he's due for regression and is going against a very tough lineup.
The Rangers' hitting should be the biggest difference maker in this contest, and catching plus-money in a game where they are playing for something is an opportunity I don't want to pass up.
