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From T-Mobile Park in Seattle, we have the Rangers and Mariners facing off in an AL West matchup. First pitch for this one is set for 9:40 PM ET. BSSW is carrying this game on TV.
The money line odds have the Mariners at -158 compared to the Rangers at +133. The over/under line is currently at 7 runs, and tonight’s pitching matchup features Kumar Rocker for the Rangers and Bryce Miller for the Mariners. Texas is currently on a two-game losing streak and is 3rd in the AL West, while the Mariners are 2nd with a record of 74-72.
Texas vs. Seattle Key Information
- Teams: Rangers at Mariners
- Where: T-Mobile Park Seattle
- Date: Thursday, September 12th
- Betting Odds SEA -158 | TEX +133 O/U 7
The Rangers Can Win If…
The Rangers will be sending Kumar Rocker to the mound today against the Mariners. He’s eager to kick off his season with a solid performance, marking his debut for the year.
Corey Seager and Adolis Garcia have been the Rangers’ top power threats this season, as Seager leads the team with 30 homers, and Garcia is right behind him with 22. Seager also leads the team with 74 RBIs, while Garcia is tied with him at the top of the home run leaderboard. Seager has a batting average of .278, and Garcia is batting just .219. Marcus Semien has been hot of late, batting .300 over his last seven games and has gone deep twice over that stretch.
Overall, the Rangers are averaging 4.2 runs per game, which is 22nd in the league. They have been a below-average team in terms of batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. As a team, they are averaging 7 strikeouts per game, which is the 8th best mark in the league.
- The Rangers are 6-4 in their last ten games.
- Over their last five games, the Rangers are 2-3 vs. the run line.
- Texas has an over/under record of 7-3 in their last ten games.
- The Rangers have an average of 3.6 runs per game over their last five games.
- Across their last ten road games, the Rangers are 5-5
- Looking back across the Rangers last five games as the favorite, they are 4-1
- Texas has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
- In their ten most recent road games, the Rangers have averaged 3.8 runs per game on offense
The Mariners Can Win If…
Seattle is sending right-hander Bryce Miller to the mound today vs. the Rangers. He has made 28 starts this season and has a record of 11-8 with a 3.18 ERA. Looking at his overall numbers, Miller has a WHIP of .99 and opponents are batting .202 this season. In his 28 starts, Miller has turned in 15 quality starts and is averaging 8.42 strikeouts per nine innings. The last time he pitched, Miller didn’t give up a run in six innings of work, picking up the win vs. the Cardinals. Before that, he had given up at least two homers in three straight starts.
Cal Raleigh has been on a tear for the Mariners, as he is currently on a nine-game hitting streak and has gone 12/33 (.364) over his last eight games, with two homers. During this stretch, he has six runs batted in. For the season, Raleigh is batting just .216, but his 30 homers is 11th in the league and leads the Mariners. Luke Raley has also been swinging a hot bat of late, going 8/26 in his last seven games.
As a team, the Mariners are 25th in the league in scoring at 4.1 runs per game and are batting just .219, which is the worst mark in the MLB. They are also near the bottom of the league in strikeouts and slugging percentage. However, they do have the 12th most home runs in the league and are 4th in walks.
- The Mariners are 5-5 in their last ten games.
- Over their last five games, the Mariners are 3-2 vs. the run line.
- Seattle has an over/under record of 5-3-2 in their last ten games.
- The Mariners have an average of 4.8 runs per game over their last five games.
- Across their last ten home games, the Mariners are 5-5
- Looking back across the Mariners last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
- Seattle has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
- In their ten most recent road games, the Mariners have averaged 5.9 runs per game on offense4
It’s a big night for the Texas Rangers and their highly anticipated pitching prospect Kumar Rocker. The 24-year-old right-hander will make his long-awaited MLB debut on Thursday as the Rangers kick off a four-game series against the Seattle Mariners. With both teams fighting for a key win, all eyes are on Rocker as he steps onto the mound for the first time in the majors.
Kumar Rocker’s Journey to the Big Leagues
From Vanderbilt to the Big Stage
Kumar Rocker has always been a name to watch in the world of baseball. A former first-round pick out of Vanderbilt, Rocker’s journey to the majors has been anything but typical. After undergoing Tommy John surgery and spending just two seasons in the minors, he’s now set to make his mark on the biggest stage.
Despite setbacks, Rocker has proven himself at every level. In his 16 appearances over two seasons in the minors, he posted impressive numbers, capped off by a stellar 1.96 ERA this season across three levels. His final stretch in Triple-A saw him give up just two runs over 10 innings, striking out 18 batters and walking only one.
“I can’t ask for much more,” Rocker told reporters ahead of his debut. “The game is what it is. I know you got to ride the wave to get here, so I’m really happy about it.”
Rocker’s perseverance and ability to perform in high-pressure situations have led him to this moment, and now he’s ready to take on the challenge of major league hitters.
A Golden Opportunity for Texas Rangers
Struggles Create an Opening
The Texas Rangers (70-76), the reigning World Series champions, have found themselves struggling to recapture last season’s magic. But those struggles have created an opportunity for Rocker to join the rotation and showcase his talents.
While the Rangers’ record may have opened the door, it’s Rocker’s talent and hard work that truly earned him this shot. General manager Chris Young made it clear that Rocker’s performance, not the team’s standings, was the reason he’s getting the call-up.
“He’s pitched well enough to be here,” Young said. “The experience he’ll get this season will serve him very well.”
Rocker’s Future with the Rangers
Manager Bruce Bochy echoed those sentiments, emphasizing that Rocker’s time in the majors is about more than just filling a spot in the rotation. It’s about building for the future.
“He’s a big part of the Rangers’ future,” Bochy said. “Why not give him some time up here?”
For the Rangers, this debut represents a glimpse into their future rotation. Rocker has the potential to become a cornerstone of their pitching staff, and this start could be the first step toward solidifying his place.
Kumar Rocker’s Mindset: Ready for the Challenge
Excitement for the Big Stage
Stepping into the major leagues is no small feat, but Rocker is embracing the challenge with open arms. While it’s natural for any player to feel nerves before their debut, Rocker has always thrived on facing new obstacles.
“Any time I get a new challenge in front of me, I’m excited for it,” Rocker said. “Whether I conquer it immediately or it takes time, I’m always looking forward to the next one.”
Rocker’s former Vanderbilt teammate, Jack Leiter, who is also a pitcher in the Rangers organization, spoke highly of Rocker’s readiness. According to Leiter, Rocker has been dominant in every healthy season since high school, and his transition to the big leagues feels like the next logical step.
“He looks like the best version of himself that we’ve ever seen,” Leiter said.
Seattle Mariners: A Tough Opponent Awaits
Mariners in Playoff Contention
Rocker’s debut won’t be an easy one, as he faces the Seattle Mariners (74-72), a team still very much in the playoff race. The Mariners have won five of their last seven games and are just 3.5 games behind the Houston Astros for the top spot in the AL West. Coming off a 5-2 victory over the San Diego Padres, Seattle has momentum on their side and will look to keep rolling against the Rangers.
Seattle’s pitching has been a major strength, and Wednesday night’s win over San Diego was no exception. Bryan Woo retired the first 19 batters he faced, delivering a near-perfect performance. With a rotation that’s firing on all cylinders, the Mariners are a formidable opponent for any team.
Bryce Miller Takes the Mound
Starting for the Mariners on Thursday is right-hander Bryce Miller (11-8, 3.18 ERA). The Texas native is coming off an impressive outing against the St. Louis Cardinals, where he threw six scoreless innings and allowed just three hits in a 6-1 victory.
However, Miller has struggled against the Rangers in his career. In three starts, he holds a 0-3 record with a sky-high 12.66 ERA. His most recent outing against Texas came in April, where he gave up two runs on four hits over four innings in a 5-1 loss. Miller will be eager to turn things around against the Rangers, but history suggests Rocker might have the advantage on Thursday night.
What’s on the Line
Rocker’s Big Moment
For Kumar Rocker, this debut is more than just another game—it’s the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and overcoming adversity. A strong performance would not only boost his confidence but also solidify his place in the Rangers’ future plans.
Mariners’ Playoff Push
For the Mariners, Thursday night’s game is another chance to stay hot in the playoff race. They’re clawing for every win as they try to close the gap in the AL West, and Miller will be aiming to reverse his fortunes against the Rangers. Both teams have a lot riding on this game, and with Rocker making his debut, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The Lean
For an over/under pick, our lean is on the over, as this is projected to be the 4th highest-scoring game of today’s league slate. As for who is going to take this one straight up, we have the Mariners coming out on top. Seattle’s offense is our 3rd highest-rated team in terms of home runs, and Kumar Rocker is our lowest-rated starting pitcher in terms of strikeouts.
