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After last night’s bummer of a ballgame with conspicuously few redeeming qualities, the Mariners return to Arlington for game two of their divisional series against the Rangers.
M’s starter Marco Gonzales has not been especially effective this season since coming over from the Cardinals back in July; in 24.2 IP, he’s had his definite ups and downs, failing to make it out of the 5th inning in any of his six starts, yet his 6.20 ERA belies a 4.77 FIP that is sneakily creeping towards respectable.
Gonzales’s last appearance September 2nd in relief was easily his best as a Mariner, as he contributed 4 scoreless, walk-less innings, surrendering only 2 hits while striking out 5. Hopefully he can channel some of those Oakland offense vibes tonight.
Texas’s starter, veteran Miguel Gonzalez, has made only one start with the club since being plucked from a miscellaneous crate at the Chicago White Sox fire sale back on August 31st. Though his Rangers debut left something to be desired (he lasted only 3 innings, giving up a pair of homers in the process), Gonzalez has put up a solid if unspectacular season, grinding out 1.5 fWAR in 136.2 IP.
Mitch Haniger (Harbinger? Hurlbergler?) will retain the No. 2 spot in the batting order, despite the righty Gonzalez on the mound for Texas. Though he hasn’t drawn a single walk since August 20th, Mitch has 22 hits in his last 45 plate appearances, good for a wRC+ of 273.
Stay toasty, Hamdangler.
Meanwhile the Rangers have made some roster moves today, including activating Adrian Beltre from the DL. He’s not in the lineup to start the game, and it’s likely he won’t appear in a game as more than a pinch hitter for some time.
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