The Seattle Mariners (65-56) have taken the first two games of a three-game series against the Texas Rangers (42-78) with the finale’s first pitch set for 2:05 p.m. ET at Globe Life Park. Let’s analyze the lines around the Mariners vs. Rangers odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Mariners RHP Chris Flexen (10-5, 3.78 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.27 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 6.1 K/9 through 126 1/3 IP.
- Allowed 5 ER across 19 1/3 IP with 13 K and 2 BB in three starts against Texas.
- Flexen has some pretty dramatic home/road splits this season. In nine road starts he has a 5.44 ERA and 1.59 WHIP while surrendering 9 homers over 49 2/3 IP.
Rangers RHP Spencer Howard (0-3, 5.61 ERA) makes his 14th appearance of the season (10th start). He has a 1.46 WHIP, 5.1 BB/9 and 9.9 K/9 through 33 2/3 IP.
- Has put up a 4.88 ERA and 8.5 K/9 in nine games as a starter, although he has failed to eclipse 4 IP in any of those outings.
- This will be his third start since being traded from the Philadelphia Phillies. He allowed 3 ER across 5 1/3 IP in his first two starts as a Ranger including 3 scoreless frames against the Mariners last time out.
Mariners at Rangers odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:33 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Mariners -155 (bet $155 to win $100) | Rangers +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Against the spread/ATS: Mariners -1.5 (+105) | Rangers +1.5 (-130)
- Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -125 | U: +100)
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Prediction
Mariners 5, Rangers 3
Money line (ML)
The Rangers come into this game having lost 11 of their last 14 games. They have four losses to Seattle in the last eight days and scored exactly 1 run in each.
Flexen has held the opposition to 3 or fewer earned runs in 11 of his last 12 starts while recording a 3.10 ERA. A couple of rough starts on the road early in the year inflated his ERA away from home, but he has allowed 6 ER in 18 2/3 IP while whiffing 15 batters in his last three road outings.
Flexen gives Seattle enough of a pitching edge to make a play on MARINERS (-155).
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
Flexen doesn’t miss many bats but has been pretty steady over the past couple of months and he should be able to hold Texas in check. Meanwhile, Howard has a 6.30 ERA across his last seven appearances and isn’t likely to keep Seattle off the board again.
Go with the MARINERS -1.5 (+110).
Over/Under (O/U)
Both offenses have been struggling lately. Seattle has scored just 48 runs in its last 14 games (3.4 per game) while Texas has only crossed the plate 79 times in its last 30 contests (2.6 per game).
Each of the last four games between these two teams has ended up either 2-1 or 3-1. A slight lean to UNDER 8.5 (+100), as neither offense is showing any signs of breaking out.
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