posted July 9, 2009 at 19:26 EST in MLB Free Picks
Hernandez tries to shut down streaking Rangers – Texas at Seattle
The Texas Rangers (47-36 SU, 44-39 RL, 31-49-3 O/U) will try to extend their modest two-game winning streak in the BetUS Sportsbook when they take on the Seattle Mariners (43-41 SU, 41-43 RL, 34-48-2 O/U) at Safeco Field tonight at 10 PM ET.
Veteran outfielder Andruw Jones went wild on Wednesday, smacking three home runs to lead the Rangers to a convincing 8-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday.
Marlon Byrd hit a two-run homer and Taylor Teagarden also went deep as the final score played just Under the 10-run O/U total.
Vicente Padilla allowed just eight hits and one run over six innings for the win, helping the Rangers cash in for BetUS MLB betting members as +125 underdogs.
The Mariners blew a ninth inning lead and lost to the Detroit Tigers 5-3 on Wednesday, failing to cash in for BetUS MLB sports betting enthusiasts as -115 favorites while the game's combined score played Under the 9-run Over/Under total.
Jose Lopez hit a two-run homer for the Mariners in a losing effort.
Tonight, the Rangers will give the ball to right-handed starter Tommy Hunter (1-1, 3.18 ERA) while the Mariners counter with staff ace right-hander Felix Hernandez (8-3, 2.62 ERA).
Hunter tossed a gem his last time out, limiting the Tampa Bay Rays to one run on a scant three hits in 5.1 innings of a 3-1 win on Friday.
Hernandez allowed three earned runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts in seven innings of Seattle’s 7-6 loss to Boston on Friday.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and MLB Free Pick.
The Rangers are 7-1 in their last 8 games as an underdog.
The Rangers are 7-1 in their last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
The Rangers are 21-6 in their last 27 vs. American League West.
The Mariners are 4-1 in their last 5 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
The Mariners are 5-0 in Hernandez’s last 5 starts.
The Mariners are 5-1 in Hernandez’s last 6 starts as a favorite.
The Mariners are 5-2 in Hernandez’s last 7 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
The Mariners are 2-8 in Hernandez’s last 10 starts vs. American League West.
The Over is 4-1 in Rangers last 5 vs. American League West.
The Under is 5-0 in Hunter’s last 5 starts overall.
The Under is 7-1 in Mariners last 8 vs. American League West.
The Under is 6-1 in Hernandez’s last 7 starts overall.
The Rangers are 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
The Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Seattle.
The Rangers are 6-1 in the last 7 meetings in Seattle.
The Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
The Under is 9-4 in Hernandez’s last 13 starts vs. Rangers.
The Mariners are 0-4 in Hernandez’s last 4 home starts vs. Rangers.
The Mariners are 0-4 in Hernandez’s last 4 starts vs. Rangers.
Texas Rangers +1½ -135
Tommy Hunter –R +160
Seattle Mariners -1½ +115
Felix Hernandez –R -190
Over 8 -110
Under 8 -110
Analysis: The Seattle Mariners are ranked 12th in hitting with a team batting average of .260 and are averaging 4.0 runs per game this season.
Seattle is ranked 3rd in pitching with a team earned run average of 3.79. Opponents are hitting .248 against the Mariners this season.
The Texas Rangers are ranked 18th in hitting with a team batting average of .259. The Rangers are averaging 5.0 runs per game this season.
Texas is ranked 21st in pitching, with a team earned run average of 4.34. Opponents are hitting .264 against the Rangers this season.
Tommy Hunter has allowed just six total earned runs over his last three starts covering 17.0 innings while going 1-1.
Felix Hernandez has been mostly outstanding for the Mariners over his last eight starts, not allowing a single run in three of those outings, while giving up just one run in three other starts.
Hernandez has posted a 4-0 record with four no decisions during the span while helping the Mariners to go 7-1 in those starts.
I like Seattle as the pick here tonight BetUS MLB sports betting members with Felix Hernandez on the mound.
The Mariners have gone a spotless 5-0 in Hernandez’s last five starts, 5-1 in the right-hander’s last six starts as a favorite and a solid 5-2 in Hernandez’s last seven starts against a team with a winning record.
The Rangers won’t go down easily as they have gone 7-1 in their last eight games as an underdog and an identical 7-1 in their last eight games against a team with a winning record, but I like Seattle to score just enough runs off of Rangers’ starter Tommy Hunter while Hernandez tosses a another gem.
I also like the Under for this matchup as it has gone a perfect 5-0 in Tommy Hunter’s last five starts overall, 7-1 in Seattle’s last eight games versus American League West opponents and 6-1 in Felix Hernandez’s last seven starts overall.
MLB Free Picks: Seattle Mariners -1½ Runs/Under 8 Total Runs
