Rangers, Mariners Set for Rubber Match in Seattle

SEATTLE (Interstat) — The Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners will decide their early-season series Sunday afternoon when the clubs meet in the finale of a three-game set at T-Mobile Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 p.m. PDT under cloudy skies with a temperature near 68 degrees.

The series is tied after a pitching duel Saturday saw Seattle edge Texas 1-0, following the Rangers’ 5-0 victory Friday. Texas (11-9) has won four of the five meetings between the AL West rivals this season.

Left-hander MacKenzie Gore (2-1, 3.38 ERA) is set to start for the visiting Rangers. He will be opposed by Seattle right-hander Bryan Woo (0-2, 4.91 ERA). The Mariners (8-13), despite their losing record, are installed as a -1.5 favorite according to sportsbooks, with an over/under of 7 runs.

A player to watch for Texas is two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom, though he is not scheduled to pitch. The star right-hander has been dominant, including four scoreless innings in relief in Friday’s win over Seattle. For the Mariners, right-hander Logan Gilbert looks to rebound after taking the loss Friday, allowing two runs over 5 1/3 innings.

The Rangers’ offense, which was shut out Saturday, will aim to reignite against Woo. Third baseman Josh Jung, who had three hits and an RBI Friday, is a key bat in the Texas lineup.

Seattle’s bullpen, which used three relievers in Friday’s loss, will need to provide support for Woo. The Mariners have lost five of their last seven games.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Texas 5, Seattle 3.

Following the game, the Mariners host the Athletics for a three-game series starting Monday. The Rangers return to Arlington to begin a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.