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The Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners wrap up their series in the Pacific Northwest on Friday, with the Mariners looking to get one win closer to ending their 21-year playoff drought — the longest in Major League Baseball.
Texas Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners (-120, 7)
Marco Gonzales takes the mound, and he has one of the lowest strikeout rates in the league, striking out 4.9 per nine innings while allowing 1.4 home runs per nine. The Seattle left-hander has a 4.05 ERA, but with all the contact he’s allowed, he has a 5.02 FIP — indicating regression might be on the horizon.
The Mariners offense has had difficulty moving the line, ranking last in batting average among American League teams in the category since the All-Star break. But in that span, they are also are second among American League team in home runs.
The Mariners will look to hit Jon Gray, who’s made three starts since coming off the injured list and pitched five innings or fewer in all three of his starts since returning. Last time out, he logged just one strikeout — a season low — vs. the Cleveland Guardians.
The Mariners have been a bullpen that’s eighth in ERA throughout 2022, but the season might be wearing them down. Seattle’s bullpen ERA is 4.53 since September 8, which ranks 20th in the league in that span.
With Mariners leader in home runs Eugenio Suarez back in the lineup, coupled with the recent form of the Mariners’ whole pitching staff — which has allowed at least five runs in five of their last six games — Thursday’s series finale sets up for some offensive sparks.
The Play: Rangers vs. Mariners Over 7
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