Posted on
4/1/2008 12:18:36 PM
MLB Baseball Betting Odds – Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners
By Eric Williams
The Seattle Mariners, (1-0) have said all spring they expect to be one of the top teams in the American League this season – and they looked the part in beating the Texas Rangers, (0-1) 5-2 on Monday in each team’s respective season opener.
Now, with overpowering hurler Felix Hernandez taking the mound one day after staff ace Erik Bedard kept the Rangers’ big bats in check, the Mariners are expecting another convincing victory.
Hernandez, who turns 22-years-old next week, went 14-7 with a 3.92 ERA in 30 starts last season and has the stuff to be any team’s staff ace, though the acquisition of Bedard bumped him back to the No. 2 slot for Seattle this season.
"I'm ready for business," Hernandez told the Mariners' official Web site. "Every time I take the mound is good fortune for me."
The Rangers will start hard-throwing, but inconsistent right-hander Vicente Padilla who went 6-10 with a 5.76 ERA in 2007 in 23 starts, while striking out 71 batters and walking 50.
Bedard held the Rangers in check, giving up just one run on three hits while striking out five and walking four in five innings – and Hernandez could do the same today.
"There will be many more nights when we'll score more than two runs," Rangers manager Ron Washington told the Rangers' official Web site.
Jose Lopez and Adrian Beltre each went 2-for-4 for the Mariners and closer J.J. Putz struck out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his first save of the season.
Padilla is 2-5 with a 6.26 ERA in seven starts against the Mariners with Beltre belting four homers and 13 RBIs in 25 career at-bats versus Padilla.
Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends, followed by my MLB Betting Picks.
Key Rangers Trends
The Rangers are 12-3 in their last 15 Tuesday games.
The Rangers are 6-13 in their last 19 overall.
The Rangers are 7-19 in their last 26 road games.
Key Mariners Trends
The Mariners are 5-0 in their last five home games.
The Mariners are 5-0 in their last five games on grass.
The Mariners are 5-0 in their last five overall.
Key Totals Trends
The Under is 4-0-1 in Rangers last five road games vs. a right-handed starter.
The Under is 4-0-1 in Rangers last five road games.
The Under is 14-3-1 in Rangers last 18 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
The Under is 5-0-1 in Mariners last six home games.
The Under is 4-0-1 in Mariners last five overall.
The Under is 4-0-1 in Mariners last five on grass.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Under is 5-0-1 in the last six meetings.
The Under is 5-0 in Hernandez’ last five starts vs. Rangers.
The Under is 4-1 in Hernandez’ last five home starts vs. Rangers.
Analysis: The outcome of this game is certainly not in question with Hernandez on the mound for this matchup. The only thing that remains is the final score.
MLB Free Picks: Seattle Mariners 6 Texas Rangers 2
10:10 PM EST MLB Betting Odds
Texas Rangers
Vicente Padilla - R +1½ -125
Seattle Mariners
Felix Hernandez - R -1½ +105
Over 8½ -120
Under 8½ EV
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