Texas @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 5, 2010 ) Texas 6, Seattle 0

One need look no farther than the current streaks of the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners to see why there is such a disparity in their records heading into the final two weeks of the regular season.

Texas (82-63) has won seven in a row, the best streak in the majors. Seattle (55-91) has lost seven in a row, the worst streak in the majors.

The American League West-leading Rangers (82-63) hold a comfortable 10-game lead over the Oakland Athletics with just 17 games to go. The Rangers play a four-game series at Oakland Sept. 23-26, but could have the division wrapped up by then.

The Rangers will try to lower their magic number when they begin a three-game series with the Mariners on Friday night at Safeco Field. Texas is 10-3 against Seattle this season.

Texas left-hander C.J. Wilson (14-6, 3.25 ERA) will oppose Seattle right-hander Felix Hernandez (11-11, 2.39) in tonight’s opener.

Hernandez’s bid to win the Cy Young Award took a hit in his last start. He allowed seven runs - four earned - in 6 2/3 innings as the Mariners fell 7-4 to the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. Still, King Felix kept his AL-leading ERA at 2.39.

Despite an outside chance to win the Cy Young, Seattle is taking a cautious approach with its top pitcher. Hernandez has thrown 225 2/3 innings, the most in the American League. He is second in the majors in strikeouts (214), but manager Daren Brown has hinted that Hernandez might get just three more starts.

The statistics and accolades go on and on for the Venezuelan, but it will be tough for him to get more than 15 victories. His teammates have done little to cause most voters for the Cy Young to ignore record – Most writers still consider wins and losses the key stat for Cy Young winners.

Hernandez also has the lowest run support (3.23) in the AL this season and in his 11 losses, the Mariners scored seven runs when he was in the game.

If Hernandez had done better against the Rangers, he might be getting more attention for the Cy Young. Hernandez is 0-3 with a 6.38 ERA in four starts against Texas this season. Consider what a 14-8 record would do for his chances as opposed to his 11-11 mark.

This season is no anomaly, as Hernandez has never been exceptional against the Rangers. He is 8-12 with a 4.16 ERA in 26 career starts against Texas.
Wilson will try to bounce back from two bad outings.

The lefty was 7-0 since the All-Star break but is winless so far in September with a 10.80 ERA. He went just three innings on Friday against New York, allowing four runs but got a no-decision in the Rangers’ 6-5, 13-inning victory.

Wilson also went just three innings in his last start in Seattle, allowing four runs on six hits with four walks. He got a no-decision as the Rangers rallied for an 11-6 victory.