Mariners at Rangers
THE STORY: Having wrapped up their second straight division title, the defending American League champion Texas Rangers will likely spend the next few days resting up for another postseason run. That’s just fine with Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez, who will try end a two-game losing streak with his first win in four starts vs. Texas on Saturday. The Rangers clinched the AL West division on Friday by virtue of their win over the Mariners and Los Angeles’ loss to Oakland. The Mariners, who are headed toward their second straight last-place finish, have lost six of the last seven meetings in Texas.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (14-13, 3.32 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Alexi Ogando (13-8, 3.58 ERA).
Hernandez is the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, but the Rangers have beaten him more times than any other team in his career. He is 0-3 with a 3.74 ERA vs. Texas this season. Hernandez allowed three runs and nine hits in seven innings of a 3-0 loss to the Rangers on September 18.
Ogando had a strong start to the season, but his second-half struggles
(4-5, 4.70) could land him in the bullpen when postseason play begins.
It’s a role Ogando's familiar with since he starred coming out of the
bullpen as a rookie last season.
ABOUT THE MARINERS (66-91): The Mariners are 8-14 in September. Rookie RHP Blake Beavan hasn’t issued a walk in three straight starts. It is the longest streak since Cliff Lee went a franchise-best four straight starts without issuing a walk last season. Coincidentally, Beavan was acquired from the Rangers in the deal that sent Lee to Texas at the trade deadline. Ichiro Suzuki (180) is unlikely to record his 11th consecutive 200-hit season. He needs to average four hits over the final five games.
ABOUT THE RANGERS (91-66): The Rangers are finishing strong. Texas has won nine of 11 and its 14-5 record in September is second to only Detroit (16-4). Hamilton’s go-ahead homer in the eighth on Wednesday was his 20th game-winning RBI this season, which is second in baseball and ties the franchise record set by Rafael Palmeiro in 1999. Hamilton is 11-for-26 with three homers and five RBIs in the last six games. Adrian Beltre has nine homers in his last 12 games.
FINAL PITCH: The Rangers watched the final moments of the Angels’ loss with their fans and then celebrated by spraying ginger ale on each other. Texas, as it did last year, avoided champagne and beer due to Hamilton’s well-known substance abuse problems.