Series Preview: Texas Rangers (89-60) @ Seattle Mariners (70-80)

The Texas Rangers now have a magic number of 10 to clinch the AL West. With Oakland coming up next, this series against Seattle is big to gain momentum and hopefully clinch as early as possible so that Ron Washington can rest his starters and set up his playoff rotation. However, winning is what is most important.

Sep 16, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus (1) turns a double play over Seattle Mariners second baseman Dustin Ackley (13) during the first inning at Rangers Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE

Josh Hamilton is back in Texas and underwent some tests and has not shown any improvement. He is questionable for this weekend’s series. Adrian Beltre, who hit a dramatic ninth inning homerun to win last night’s ball game is back in the lineup.

Series at a Glance

Texas Record: 89-60 (1st AL West)
Seattle Record: 70-80 (4th AL West, 19.5 GB)

Season Series: 9-7 Texas
Record at Seattle: 3-3

Probable Starters:

Friday 9:10 CDT TEX: LHP Martin Perez (1-1, 3.38 ERA/4.54 FIP) – SEA: RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (6-5, 3.39 ERA/4.69 FIP)

Saturday 8:10 CDT TEX: LHP Matt Harrison (17-9, 3.26 ERA/3.91 FIP) – SEA: RHP Blake Beavan (9-10, 4.88 ERA/4.87 FIP)

Sunday 3:10 CDT TEX: RHP Ryan Dempster (6-2, 4.70 ERA/3.74 FIP) – SEA: LHP Jason Vargas (14-10, 3.92 ERA/4.74 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.