Texas Rangers: Can Martin Perez Win Tonight?

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 14: Martin Perez (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 14: Martin Perez (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Texas Rangers begin a three-game series tonight against the Seattle Mariners. Martin Perez steps on the mound. He’s been a hot pitcher as of late. After struggling for much of the season, he all of a sudden picked himself up and found a way to stay on his feet.

In early August, Perez had a record of 5-10. No doubt, the Texas Rangers were not considering bringing him back as they probably felt they were patient enough with him and it would soon be time to move on from him.

However, in his next eight starts, he amassed a record of 7-1. His ERA went from 5.46 to 4.82. From August 9th to September 8th, he won a career-high of seven straight games. Had he won eight straight, he’d have tied a record set in 2005 by Kenny Rogers. Regardless, Perez pitched well, which is what Texas desperately needed from him.

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Perez is 1-2 in four starts against Seattle this season. Unfortunately for him, it was against Seattle where his seven-game winning streak was snapped.

One of the things Perez has struggled with this season has been to be able to strike out batters. His career-high this season of strikeouts in a game is eight, which was back in May. Since then his highest amount of strikeouts in a game is five.

Seattle is 11th in the league in hits and 15th in scoring runs. Their batting average of .259 puts them 12th. Texas is 5-11 this season against Seattle.

Martin needs to step onto the mound and do exactly what he did during his remarkable seven-game winning streak. He needs to focus and stay focused. Yes, it was Seattle who snapped his winning streak, but Perez must not let that affect him. If he’s moved on and forgotten about it, then he’ll be okay and he can lead the Rangers to victory tonight in Seattle.

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