Seattle @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 24, 2011 ) Seattle 3, Texas 7

THE STORY: The Texas Rangers have secured a postseason spot but are still interested in winning games as they look to complete a three-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. The Rangers have won 10 of 12 games and are battling the Detroit Tigers for the second-best record in the American League. Texas clinched the AL West crown on Friday and then used a makeshift lineup Saturday to rack Mariners ace Felix Hernandez for 12 hits in just 3 1/3 innings. Seattle needs to sweep its final four games of the season to avoid winning fewer than 70 games for the third time in four seasons. The Mariners went 61-101 in both 2008 and 2010.

TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), FSH (Texas).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Charlie Furbush (4-9, 5.22 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Derek Holland (15-5, 3.92 ERA).

Furbush won his last outing to snap a five-game losing streak. He struck out eight in five innings but also gave up six runs and 10 hits while beating the Cleveland Indians. Texas roughed up Furbush for seven runs (six earned) and eight hits in four innings on August 8. Furbush has allowed nine homers in 48 2/3 innings for Seattle since being acquired from the Detroit Tigers in late July.

Holland has won four straight decisions and nine of his last 10. He is 3-0 with a 1.63 ERA in four September starts. Holland gave up just one run and two hits in seven innings while beating Oakland in his last outing. He is 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA in three starts against the Mariners this season. Ichiro Suzuki is batting just .227 in 22 career at-bats against Holland.

ABOUT THE MARINERS (66-92): Hernandez left Saturday’s game after being hit by Michael Young’s line drive off his pitching arm. X-rays were taken and Hernandez was diagnosed with a bruised forearm. Hernandez finished his season with a 14-14 record. Ichiro went hitless in four at-bats Saturday and has 180 hits, leaving him well short in his quest to reach the 200-hit plateau for a record 11th consecutive season. Kyle Seager started at shortstop for the second straight contest and sixth time this season with Brendan Ryan (neck) and Luis Rodriguez (cut hand) unavailable. Outfielder Casper Wells (sinus issues and equilibrium problems) likely won’t play again this season.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (92-66): Texas had 14 hits in Saturday’s victory with reserves Esteban German and Andres Blanco each having three hits. Michael Young started at third base because Texas was shy on infielders but most of the regulars had the day off, including third baseman Adrian Beltre, shortstop Elvis Andrus, second baseman Ian Kinsler and outfielders Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz. Manager Ron Washington wants to get his starting players ample rest prior to Friday’s playoff opener. Washington also announced that left-hander C.J. Wilson will start the first game of the postseason regardless of the opponent. Wilson (16-7) makes his final regular-season start Monday against the Los Angeles Angels.

FINAL PITCH: Texas closer Neftali Feliz has never allowed a hit against Seattle in 17 career appearances spanning 16 innings. Feliz’s save on Friday was his ninth against the Mariners and 30th of the season.