Series Preview: Seattle Mariners (69-75) @ Texas Rangers (85-58)

The Rangers finally go back to playing a division rival, which is not so great news as the Rangers have struggled against AL West opponents after dominating them a year ago. Case in point is this Mariners team. The Rangers are pretty much .500 against them and although they made a run to get out of the division cellar, they will remain there for the rest of this season but probably welcome the Houston Astros.

Jul 14, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus (1) turns a double play over Seattle Mariners shortstop Brendan Ryan (26) during the 8th inning at Safeco Field. Seattle defeated Texas 7-0. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-US PRESSWIRE

Yu Darvish will face off against Hisashi Iwakuma tonight, the two Japanese imports from this season with varying optimism but both have been successful, especially recently.

Series at a Glance

Texas Record: 85-58 (1st AL West)
Cleveland Record: 69-75 (4th AL West, 16.5 GB)

Season Series: 7-6 Texas
Record at Texas: 4-3

Notable Transaction: July 9, 2010: The Texas Rangers traded Matthew Lawson, Blake Beavan, Josh Lueke and Justin Smoak to the Seattle Mariners for Cliff Lee, Mark Lowe and cash.

Obvious, but notable none the less.

Probable Starters:

Friday 7:05 CDT TEX: RHP Yu Darvish (14-9, 4.14 ERA/3.46 FIP) – SEA: RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (6-4, 3.39 ERA/4.56 FIP)

Saturday 7:05 CDT TEX: RHP Scott Feldman (6-11, 4.97 ERA/3.74 FIP) – SEA: LHP Jason Vargas (14-10, 3.85 ERA/4.70 FIP)

Sunday 2:05 CDT TEX: LHP Matt Harrison (16-9, 3.36 ERA/3.91 FIP) – SEA: RHP Blake Beavan (9-9, 5.01 ERA/4.86 FIP)

Projected Mariners Lineup
1 2B Dustin Ackley (L)
2 CF Franklin Gutierrez
3 3B Kyle Seager (L)
4 C John Jaso (L) vs RHP
5 DH Jesus Montero
6 LF Michael Saunders (L)
7 1B Justin Smoak (B)
8 RF Eric Thames (L)
9 SS Brendan Ryan

Bench
C Miguel Olivo vs LHP
1B Mike Carp (L)
1B Luis Jimenez (L)
IF Munenori Kawasaki (L)
IF Carlos Triunfel
IF/OF Chone Figgins (B)
IF/OF Alex Liddi
OF Carlos Peguero (L)
OF Trayvon Robinson (B)
OF Casper Wells

Bullpen
CL RHP Tom Wilhelmsen
SU RHP Stephen Pryor
SU LHP Lucas Luetge
MID RHP Carter Capps
MID LHP Charlie Furbush
MID RHP Shawn Kelley
MID LHP Oliver Perez
MID RHP Hector Noesi
LR RHP Josh Kinney

(source MLBDepthCharts)

For more information on the Mariners see FanSided’s Mariners page, SoDo Mojo.