The Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners meet Thursday in MLB action from T-Mobile Park. The Rangers are coming off a series versus the Angels. After a split in the first two games, in the Wednesday rubber match Texas powered out a shutout win. As for Seattle, they played The Astros in their last set. After a similar split in the first pair, in the finale the Mariners lost to drop the series. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Texas Rangers 

The Rangers managed a 5-1 win over the Angels on Monday but then fell 9-3 in game two. Texas’ Josh Smith managed a two-run homer as the only RBI in the loss. On Wednesday Texas scored three in the ninth inning to cap off a 5-0 victory. Marcus Semien (two runs), Adolis Garcia (two RBI) and Evan Carter (two RBI) each had a homer along the way. 

In the starting pitcher role for the series opener, the Rangers will send out Jordan Montgomery. This year Montgomery is 10-11 with a 3.25 ERA in 31 starts. Over his last seven starts, Montgomery is 2-1 with a 3.09 ERA and 33 Ks. 

Texas Rangers Team Facts

The Rangers have won each of their last seven games against the Mariners.
The Rangers have covered the run line each of their last six night games against teams that held a winning record.
The Rangers have led after 7 innings in each of their last seven games against opponents that held a winning record.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last five Thursday games.
The Rangers have led after 5 innings in each of their last seven games against American League opponents that held a winning record.

Seattle Mariners 

Over on the Mariners’ side, they lost to the Astros 5-1 in their Monday outing. Seattle evened up the series with a 6-2 victory in game two, thanks in part to two runs and a solo homer from Ty France. In the finale the Mariners gave up 14 hits in an 8-3 defeat. JP Crawford had a solo homer, though. 

As starter for Thursday’s game, Seattle will go with Logan Gilbert. This season Gilbert is 13-7 with a 3.75 ERA in 31 starts. He’s got 184 Ks in 184.2 innings total. Gilbert is 3-2 with a 3.59 ERA in his last seven starts. 

Seattle Mariners Team Facts

The Mariners have won each of their last 12 games against the Rangers following a home loss.
The Mariners have covered the run line in each of their last six night games against AL West opponents following a home loss.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Mariners’ last six games as favorites against AL West opponents.
The Mariners have led after 5 innings in each of their last four night games against the Rangers at T-Mobile Park.

Matchup/League Facts

The Seattle Mariners rank T29th in the league for triples this season (12).
The Seattle Mariners rank 29th in the league for strikeouts against this season (1567).
The Texas Rangers rank 2nd in the league for hits this season (1451).
The Texas Rangers rank 2nd in the league for doubles this season (324).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stick with the Rangers here. Montgomery is on a great roll these days, posting a 2-0 record over his last three starts. In that trio, Montgomery has just one earned run in 21.0 innings on 14 hits and three walks. As for Gilbert, he’s 0-2 in his last pair with seven earned in 10.2 innings. On Wednesday the Rangers got a great pitching performance out of Dane Dunning and the pen, resulting in just three hits and 10 Ks. Texas has three or more runs in four straight games, so if the offense can keep it up I think the Rangers have a decent shot at a victory in the opener.