Game Preview: Rangers vs. Mariners, April 17th, 2014

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Rangers are hoping to collect another series win as they face-off with the Seattle Mariners for the fourth and final game of their matchup with the visiting Mariners.  A win would make the Rangers 3 for 3 in series victories at home to start 2014.

For the Rangers, Tanner Scheppers takes the mound still seeking his first win of the season and hopes to give the Rangers their first 3 game win streak of 2014.  The pressure for Scheppers to perform in his new role may be mounting as Matt Harrison continues to progress toward a rotation spot of his own and Colby Lewis hopes to build off his own first start back in the Bigs.

Twenty-Three year old Erasmo Ramirez is set to face Scheppers in hopes of securing a series tie for his visiting Mariners.  Following a very strong spring (1.14 ERA, 10:1 K:BB ratio) including a strong start against the Rangers in his last start in Arizona (5 IP, 1 ER, 6 K’s), Ramirez has had a tougher time early on in the regular season and looks to rebound.

J.P. Arencibia is also back in the lineup to catch Scheppers and is also certainly looking to heat up as his performance to date has been lackluster and his playing time may soon become infringed upon by Robinson Chirinos.

Here are your posted lineups for today:

Texas Rangers:

1. Shin-Soo Choo, LF

2. Elvis Andrus, SS

3. Alex Rios, RF

4. Prince Fielder, 1B

5. Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B

6. Mitch Moreland, DH

7. Donnie Murphy, 2B

8. Leonys Martin, CF

9. J.P. Arencibia, C

Seattle Mariners:

1. Abraham Almonte, CF

2. Brad Miller, SS

3. Robinson Cano, 2B

4. Corey Hart, RF

5. Kyle Seager, 3B

6. Nick Franklin, 2B

7. Justin Smoak, 1B

8. Dustin Ackley, LF

9. John Buck, C