(Editor's Note: Earlier today longtime Rangers manager Ron Washington unexpectedly resigned. You can find the news fairly easily and/or get an idea of how the Rangers and their fans are processing this information over at Lone Star Ball.)
I'm an angry fan. The only thing that gives me more pleasure in life than watching specific teams lose is watching my team win. For some reason, the Texas Rangers are one of those teams I love to watch lose. I have felt giddy this season in watching a team that once was in back-to-back World Series plummet past the Houston Astros for the depths of the AL West. It all feels fantastic -- when the Mariners win at least. This season, the Mariners haven't won too often against the Rangers, sitting 7-9 on the season overall. There are three games left in the series with the Rangers and that is it for the year. Let's take them out on a high note!
Ex-almost Mariner Scott Baker takes the mound for the Rangers tonight. It is a good thing he became an ex-almost Mariner, because Baker hasn't been too good this year. He sports a xFIP of 4.48 and borders as a serviceable fifth starter in the Rangers' rotation. Baker has bounced between the Rangers' bullpen and starting rotation this year, but has pieced together a couple of nice outings to close out August. Over his past two starts, he has gone 11.1 innings, given up 11 hits and allowed three earned runs. He has a short leash, generally speaking, with the most pitches he has thrown this season being his last start at 93.
Hisashi Iwakuma takes the mound for the Mariners. As we all know, Iwakuma is having himself a fine year, and also had himself a pretty fine looking month of August. He started out hot, reducing opponents to bubbling piles of goo in the first four games of August before getting clobbered around by the Red Sox in his shortest start of the year. Iwakuma got things a bit on track against the Nationals in his last start, going six innings but also giving up three solo home runs in the process. The Rangers are a good team for Iwakuma to face to truly get back on track. Iwakuma has a 1.69 ERA in two starts against the Rangers this season.
Game info
- Mariners @ Rangers, 5:05 p.m. PST
- Today's game will be televised by ROOT Sports and broadcasted by 710 KIRO. Out-of-market Mariners' fans can watch the game on MLB TV.
- There will be a non-familiar face managing the Rangers from here on out after Ron Washington unexpectedly resigned earlier today. Head over to Lone Star Ball for more coverage on that.
Today's lineup
Seattle Mariners | Texas Rangers |
Austin Jackson (R) - CF | Leonys Martin (L) - CF |
Dustin Ackley (L) - LF | Elvis Andrus (R) - DH |
Robinson Cano (L) - 2B | Tomas Telis (S) - C |
Kyle Seager (L) - 3B | Adrian Beltre (R) - 3B |
Kendrys Morales (S) - DH | Ryan Rua (R) - LF |
Logan Morrison (L) - 1B | Rougned Odor (L) - 2B |
Mike Zunino (R) - C | Adam Rosales (R) - 1B |
Endy Chavez (L) - RF | Luis Sardinas (S) - SS |
Brad Miller (L) - SS | Michael Choice (R) - RF |
Hisashi Iwakuma - RHP | Scott Baker - RHP |