Texas @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 5, 2016 ) Seattle 2, Texas 3

The Texas Rangers won three straight games against Seattle last weekend and look to post another three-game sweep of the Mariners when the American League West combatants open another series Friday. Texas outscored the Mariners 20-9 in its home ballpark and has won 15 of its last 19 overall games as it embarks on a 10-game road trip starting in Seattle.

The first-place Rangers begin their lengthy excursion with a four-game lead over the Mariners, who split a four-game set with the Cleveland Indians to open a seven-game homestand. Left-hander Derek Holland will be on the mound for Texas and he is 2-0 against the Mariners this season and 12-4 in his career. Seattle second Robinson Cano smacked two homers in Thursday's 5-3 loss to Cleveland to raise his season total to 18, tied for third most in the majors. Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder is off to a miserable start with a .193 average and just four homers and his blast in Thursday's 5-3 win over Houston was only his second since April 19.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Derek Holland (5-4, 4.53 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Hisashi Iwakuma (4-5, 4.13)

Holland allowed two runs and three hits in seven innings against the Mariners on Sunday and tossed 6 2/3 innings of four-hit shutout ball in Seattle on April 12. He has pitched well over his last four outings with a 2.45 ERA despite splitting four decisions. Holland has consistently had issues retiring Cano, who is batting .372 with two homers and nine RBIs in 43 at-bats against him.

Iwakuma is 0-2 with a 3.00 ERA in three 2016 starts against the Rangers and took the loss when paired against Holland on Sunday. He allowed three runs (one earned) and four hits in seven innings to drop to 8-5 with a 3.35 ERA in 17 career appearances (16 starts) against Texas. Iwakuma is 2-2 with a 5.46 ERA at home and opposing hitters are batting .303 against him at Safeco Field.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners 3B Kyle Seager is batting .320 with 15 homers in 94 career games against Texas but is batting just .188 with one homer in nine contests this season.

2. Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre (hamstring) didn't play in Thursday's win over Houston and is listed as day to day.

3. Seattle chose college OF Kyle Lewis (Mercer) with the 11th overall selection of Thursday's draft, while Texas selected prep LHP Cole Ragans (Tallahassee, Fla.) with the 30th pick.

PREDICTION: Mariners 4, Rangers 3