Series Thread- Seattle Mariners @ Texas Rangers

[Porter]

Overview- Seattle is coming off a tough series vs the Indians only scoring 12 runs. NINE of them came in one game, SIX of those came in one inning. Element put it best can WE PLEASE GET SOME O-FFENSE. Texas is coming off a good series vs the hated Yanks winning 2 of 3. They are currently a half game ahead of the M's for 2nd in the West.

Probable Starters
Tuesday- Joel Pineiro (1-1, 6.39) vs Ryan Drese (2-1, 6.39)
Drese is coming off a dismal start against the Devil Rays. He allowed 7 ER in 5 and 1/3 innings pitcher, walking 4 and allowing 8 hits. Don't expect a lot of whiffs from Drese for he only has struck out 2 batters (thats not a typo) in 25.1 IP (.710 K/9). Pineiro is coming off a sub-par start vs the A's. Allowing 9 hits and 4 earned runs but he earned the Win somehow (thank you Dobbs). There could be a lot of hits and runs in this affair. Opponents hit .280 vs Drese and .308 vs Pineiro.
Wednesday- Ryan Franklin (1-2, 2.51) vs Kenny Rogers (0-2, 3.33)
Ryan is coming off a tough loss vs a red hot Rich Harden. Hes gone 8 Innings or more in every start this season. In his last start he only allowed 4 hits and 3 walks, but 3 runs. The Offense has only scored 1 run in his last 2 starts. Hits will be far and few for the Rangers for opponents are only hitting .163 vs Franklin. Rogers had an effective start vs the D-Rays. He allowed 7 hits, 3 runs (2 earned) in 6 innings pitched, striking out 4 and walking 3. Thing is they still lost. And the offense doesnt hep him either as they also have scored 2 runs in his last 2 starts. but even more alarming is they only average 2.5 runs per start.
Thursday- Gil Meche (1-1, 6.86) vs Chris Young (2-1, 5.79)
Lets face it, Meche is going to get murdered and he better thank the stars he doesnt get Pedro Astacio this series. His last start vs the Rangers read like this: 3.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K. Opponents are hitting a robust .305 vs Meche. Hes only gone LONGER than 6 innings pitched just once. Young had his best start of the season vs the Yanks. Allowing only 4 hits and 1 Earned Run while striking out 7 in 5 and 2/3 innings pitched. He pretty active with his stuff and it shows with a K an inning for the 25 yr old righty. Thing is you can hit his stuff too (.296 OPP BA).

By The Numbers
.491- David Dellucci's OBP so far this season, who needs Bonds?
25- Homeruns hit by the Rangers this season.
.276- Opp BA vs the Rangers pitching
8- # of Saves by Francisco Cordero.
5- # of Errors by Soriano at 2B already this season
11- Homeruns hit by the Mariners this season
86- # of runs by the M's offense (4.52 Runs Per Game)
.248- Opp BA vs the Mariners Pitching
3- Combined # of Earned Runs allowed by Villone, Putz, Mateo and Shiggy.

Outlook- Runs will come early and VERY often in Tuesdays and Thursdays games. I think this could go either way for this series. Franklin should beat Rogers. And Young will survive Meche in a 10-8 games. The key is if the M's Pitching can keep the Rangers in the ballpark. They have allowed 19 HRs already this season. I will say 1-1, with the 1st game being piviotal.

[Element]

Overview- Seattle is coming off a tough series vs the Indians only scoring 12 runs. NINE of them came in one game, SIX of those came in one inning. Element put it best can WE PLEASE GET SOME O-FFENSE.

Outlook- Runs will come early and VERY often in Tuesdays and Thursdays games. I think this could go either way for this series. Franklin should beat Rogers. And Young will survive Meche in a 10-8 games. The key is if the M's Pitching can keep the Rangers in the ballpark. They have allowed 19 HRs already this season. I will say 1-1, with the 1st game being piviotal.

Yeah, we NEED some O. Yesterday was a little refreshing.

We also need a series win. We haven't won a series excpet for the Royals series. Next 3 series are important, we are going to play Texas, Oakland and the Angels. It would be great if we come out of this at LEAST 5-4.

On another note, I won't be very active this week due to AP tests.

[Porter]

Yeah, we NEED some O. Yesterday was a little refreshing.

We also need a series win. We haven't won a series excpet for the Royals series. Next 3 series are important, we are going to play Texas, Oakland and the Angels. It would be great if we come out of this at LEAST 5-4.

On another note, I won't be very active this week due to AP tests.

Ill try my best to be active, depending on if my bro dominates the computer or not.

[Steak]

Element: Good luck on your AP tests.

[Porter]

This is a real piviotal game for this part of the season. They have to show that they can put things together. It seems like every time one aspect of the game fails them.

[Porter]

What a great breakout game for the Mariners. 15 hits from the offense. This is refreshing.

[Porter]

On the other hand, Pineiro allowed 4 HRs in that win lol.

[Steak]

Good win especially with Anaheim losing tonight in NYC.

[Porter]

It keeps us 1 game back of the Angels. but our Rotation has to do better outside of Franklin/Moyer.

[Steak]

I think anyone has a shot to win the AL West.

Angels don't scare me. Their pitching is not that great and it's vulnerable.

[Porter]

The AL West was more wide open than anticipated. Anyone could win that divison.

[Porter]

Will the Mariners Offense actually score runs for Franklin? He should be 3-0 with his 2.51 ERA right now.

[MarinersFan87]

WTF just happend to Franklin...

[Porter]

The Rangers offense woke up.

[Element]

And he returned to his old self.