Texas @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 18, 2013 ) Seattle 4, Texas 3

The Texas Rangers had won 19 of 23 before dropping back-to-back road contests against the Chicago White Sox over the weekend, but they will carry a 2 1/2-game lead in the American League West into Monday's three-game series at the Seattle Mariners. The Rangers have been dominant in division play, posting a staggering 41-16 mark against AL West foes. Texas has had a tougher time with Seattle, going 9-7 in the season series after losing two of three at home to the Mariners earlier this month.

Seattle limps into the series on a three-game losing streak after getting outscored 14-2 en route to being swept at home by the Los Angeles Angels. The Mariners have scored one run or fewer in four of the last six games but will be counting on Kyle Seager to help revive the offense against the Rangers. Seager has two hits in 23 at-bats over his last six contests, but he has shredded Texas' pitching this season with a .409 average, four homers and 13 RBIs in 16 games.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Travis Blackley (1-1, 4.85 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Joe Saunders (10-12, 4.91)

Blackley, who was acquired from Houston earlier this month, will make his second straight spot start in place of an injured Alexi Ogando. He allowed two runs on three hits over four innings against the Astros, for whom he made 42 relief appearances before the trade to Texas. Blackley, who made six starts for Seattle in 2004, has a 1.98 ERA in 13 2/3 innings spanning five appearances (one start) versus the Mariners.

Saunders has faded badly over the past month, going 1-4 in his last six starts and allowing 32 runs in that span. His winless streak reach three last time out when he gave up four runs on 10 hits over six innings in a no-decision at Oakland. An inability to keep the ball in the park has contributed to the woes of Saunders, who has yielded 21 homers on the season and seven in his last five starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Saunders has lost two of three starts to Texas this season to fall to 4-9 with a 6.17 ERA in 15 outings against the Rangers.

2. Seager is hitless in five career at-bats against Blackley.

3. Rangers 1B Jeff Baker, who went deep twice over the weekend, is 7-for-16 with two homers and four RBIs against Saunders.

PREDICTION: Rangers 6, Mariners 5.