This is one of those games where all the factors point one way. Granted, in baseball, even the worst team can beat the best team on any given day- which is why it is not wise to take high juiced favorites too often.
Texas -1. 3 units. And one unit on the RL and one unit on first 5 innings -1/2. That's 5 total units. Here's why:
The Rangers are already home. No travel. The Mariners, after a 4 game sweep by LA, have to fly half way across the country and play in the 95 degree Texas heat. Coming from cool Seattle this takes time to get used to. Furthermore Seattle is young and young players get in a funk over losing and slumping more than vets. In the Angel series they had 9 runs, 18 hits in 4 games- and they didn't even face Jered Weaver. Everyone is slumping except Justin Smoak.
The Rangers just lost to Millwood in Seattle, and they will take him seriously. Millwood is coming off his best 3 games in a row in many years, many years. It can't last. Because the Rangers have seen him twice and lost to him twice, I think they focus here. The Rangers are so good at this point in the season that they almost seem to will themselves to win when they feel their pride is at stake, or they face a tough pitcher or team. Losing twice to Millwood is definitely something to get them "up" for this game. Millwood throws a 88-90 MPH fastball in the corners, early innings, to set up his breaking pitches. To his credit, he was very successful the last 3 games pinpointing his pitches. But my money says it won't happen this 4th time. He is a pass around pitcher, who couldn't find a job last year. The Mariner bullpen is fair, though Brandon League, their closer, is off his game and blowing saves of late. Rangers have a much better BP.
The Rangers also have a rare lineup. Everyone can hit for power, and there are no breaks 1-9, no easy outs. Man for man, for all nine spots, they have a better player. In fact, this lineup is one of the best I've seen in MLB for the past many years- at least for the first 2 months. They just gave Drabek his worst pitching line of the year, knocked around a hot Brandon Morrow, shelled Jered Weaver, and I think they'll have to put Millwood in that class as a pitcher who they have to show they can best.
Matt Harrison has been tough on the Mariners over the past 2 years. Many starts and about a 2.00 ERA…… Anyways, I guess Millwood might have sold his soul to the devil and Seattle could win, but other than that, it is looking all Texas. -1, is the best bet I think because you can get a push if they squeak out a one run win.
Texas -1. 3 units. And one unit on the RL and one unit on first 5 innings -1/2. That's 5 total units. Here's why:
The Rangers are already home. No travel. The Mariners, after a 4 game sweep by LA, have to fly half way across the country and play in the 95 degree Texas heat. Coming from cool Seattle this takes time to get used to. Furthermore Seattle is young and young players get in a funk over losing and slumping more than vets. In the Angel series they had 9 runs, 18 hits in 4 games- and they didn't even face Jered Weaver. Everyone is slumping except Justin Smoak.
The Rangers just lost to Millwood in Seattle, and they will take him seriously. Millwood is coming off his best 3 games in a row in many years, many years. It can't last. Because the Rangers have seen him twice and lost to him twice, I think they focus here. The Rangers are so good at this point in the season that they almost seem to will themselves to win when they feel their pride is at stake, or they face a tough pitcher or team. Losing twice to Millwood is definitely something to get them "up" for this game. Millwood throws a 88-90 MPH fastball in the corners, early innings, to set up his breaking pitches. To his credit, he was very successful the last 3 games pinpointing his pitches. But my money says it won't happen this 4th time. He is a pass around pitcher, who couldn't find a job last year. The Mariner bullpen is fair, though Brandon League, their closer, is off his game and blowing saves of late. Rangers have a much better BP.
The Rangers also have a rare lineup. Everyone can hit for power, and there are no breaks 1-9, no easy outs. Man for man, for all nine spots, they have a better player. In fact, this lineup is one of the best I've seen in MLB for the past many years- at least for the first 2 months. They just gave Drabek his worst pitching line of the year, knocked around a hot Brandon Morrow, shelled Jered Weaver, and I think they'll have to put Millwood in that class as a pitcher who they have to show they can best.
Matt Harrison has been tough on the Mariners over the past 2 years. Many starts and about a 2.00 ERA…… Anyways, I guess Millwood might have sold his soul to the devil and Seattle could win, but other than that, it is looking all Texas. -1, is the best bet I think because you can get a push if they squeak out a one run win.
