The Rangers are trying to rebound from some sad offense of late, mustering next to nothing after coming out of the All-Star break sprinting. Texas has averaged 3.09 runs in the last 11 games since the Rangers topped Detroit 8-0. Over that same stretch, the Rangers have yielded 3.45 runs. Despite the run deferential, the Rangers are 6-5.
The previous six games, the Rangers had gone 5-1 coming out of the All-Star break, scoring eight runs three times and there was another game in which seven. Despite the run drought, the Rangers have avoided being shutout, but have been held to one run four times (just look at a Cliff Lee start, normally happens then).
Colby Lewis (9-7, 3.40) has received no run support in losing his last two starts but may not need that much from Hamilton and his teammates. He has gone 2-0 with a 0.78 ERA in three starts versus Seattle this season and struck out 10 in nine innings of a 2-0, 12-inning victory at Safeco Field on April 30.
The Mariners have dropped seven in a row after mustering two hits in a 4-0 defeat at Minnesota on Sunday - their second straight shutout loss and third during the slide. The sweep by Texas started a season-high eight-game skid from April 30-May 8.
Seattle has been outscored 45-14 while hitting .212 with one homer during the current slide.
Jason Vargas (6-5, 3.20) takes the mound after going 0-3 with a 4.58 ERA in six starts.
The left-hander gave up five runs while serving up three homers in 4 1-3 innings and did not get a decision in Wednesday’s 6-5 loss at Chicago.
Vargas has struggled in five games - three starts - against the Rangers, going 0-2 with a 6.16 ERA. However, only one of those games came at Safeco, where he’s 5-2 with a 2.23 ERA in 11 starts this year. (some experts from Yahoo Sports)
Forecast: When the bats go sour, it's hard and difficult at best to predict when the will pick up again. And here, there are two conflicting trends. The first trend is that the bats will pick up due to the Rangers success against Vargas. The second trend is just what the bats have been doing over the majority of the last eleven games. Combine that with Vargas' success at home, and it could be another low-scoring affair. As far as Lewis is concerned, I think his trend this season will continue, if not be better. He has pitched 9 innings IN Seattle on April 30th, tossing the entire regular game for a shutout (9 innings no runs, went extra innings before the Rangers won it 2-0). He also tossed two games in Arlington against the Mariners, giving up a run in seven innings, BOTH times. That is a 0.78 ERA against the Mariners. I like the Rangers chances on this game. If the Rangers put up two or three runs early, it is in the bag. And even though the bats are cold at best, Hambino returns for this series, and he should be a big enough spark to ignite something. Rangers win this 3-1.
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