Texas @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 12, 2013 ) Texas 1, Seattle 3

Kyle Seager displayed signs of coming out of his slump and the Seattle Mariners look for their second straight victory against the visiting Texas Rangers in Saturday’s third contest of the four-game series. Seager had one RBI in 11 games before delivering a two-run double in Seattle’s three-run first-inning uprising Friday. Seager drove in 86 runs in his first full big-league season before starting slowly in 2013. He’s batting .167 in 42 at-bats.

Texas had six hits in Friday’s 3-1 loss and its offense isn’t clicking like some of its high-powered teams of recent seasons. The Rangers are averaging 3.9 runs per game and have hit 12 home runs. Second baseman Ian Kinsler has four homers but third baseman Adrian Beltre and right field Nelson Cruz have one homer apiece. Texas lost outfielder Josh Hamilton to the Los Angeles Angels via free agency in the off-season and hasn’t adequately replaced the former American League MVP.

TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Southwest (Texas), ROOT Sports (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Alexi Ogando (2-0, 0.77 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Joe Saunders (1-1, 3.48)

Ogando opened the campaign with strong outings against the Houston and Tampa Bay. He has allowed one run and seven hits in 11 2/3 innings. Ogando struck out 10 in his season debut against the Astros. He is 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA in 13 career appearances (four starts) against Seattle.

Saunders typically struggles against Texas as he has a 3-7 record and 6.48 ERA in 11 career starts. He has allowed 15 homers in 58 1/3 innings. Saunders defeated the Astros in his last outing when he tossed 6 1/3 shutout innings. He lost to Oakland in his first start.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle has scored three runs in three straight games and six of its last seven.

2. Kinsler is batting .417 with four homers in 24 career at-bats against Saunders.

3. Mariners 1B Justin Smoak is 5-for-12 against Ogando.

PREDICTION: Rangers 8, Mariners 3