MLB Betting - Mariners at Rangers (Tuesday, August 7th)

Can Felix Lift The Mariners From The Mound?

by Fairway Jay

The Mariners took the series opener in 12 innings Monday, escaping the Arlington heat and Globe Life Park 4-3. Left-hander Wade Leblanc tossed 6.1 innings of 2-hit ball and allowed just a single run before seven Seattle relievers closed the contest. The Mariners improved to 9-1 SU in extra-inning games, much to the delight of their MLB betting backers, and Edwin Diaz earned his major league leading 42nd save.

On Tuesday, August 7th, Seattle is a slight favorite with a pair of pitchers sporting ERA’s above 5.1 that are likely to get pounded despite big name recognition.

SEATTLE MARINERS VS. TEXAS RANGERS - Tuesday August 7th F. Hernandez (SEA) -110 / -1.5 (+135) / O 11 B. Colon (TEX) +100  /+1.5 (-155) / U 11

Seattle improved to 65-48 SU Monday and still trail AL West-division leading Houston by 6.5 games. The Mariners are also 2 games behind Oakland for the second wild card spot. Expect Seattle’s sluggers to swing some big sticks against Bartolo Colon. The 45-year-old tops out at 87 MPH on the gun and relies on just two pitches. His command is still elite and he walks few hitters, which is great for MLB betting purposes. Yet his WHIP is 1.28 as hitters are pounding him again lately and he’s lost each of his last five starts and allowed at least 5 runs in each of his last three outings. In his last three home starts, Colon has allowed 14 runs and 24 hits in 16.2 innings.

King Felix is no longer a dominant pitcher and he's actually pitching well below average now. Hernandez is the worst starter statistically on the Seattle staff. His 5.49 ERA is a career-worst and the Mariners gave him a rest on the 10-day DL over the All-Star break. Over his last five starts, King Felix lasted exactly 5 innings four times and was crushed for 7 runs in 2.2 innings two starts back. Entering this series, the Rangers had a .861 OPS over the last two weeks and have scored at least 6 runs in eight of their last 13 games.

Even the weaker Rangers lineup will hit Hernandez, whose once hard fastball is now clocking in at no more than 90 MPH. His line drive and fly ball rates have been steadily increasing and pitching at the top hitting park in MLB betting in the high-90’s heat spells trouble for both starters. Texas may be in the basement at 49-65 SU and one of the bottom-hitting teams in the AL, but they should get plenty of good swings against Felix.

Despite the highest total on the board Tuesday, I can see nothing but tons of hits and baserunners and some big bombs tossed in this likely slugfest. Extreme heat in Arlington and south winds near 15 MPH only adds more credence to our play. Game total OVER and first five innings OVER 5.5 as available. Team totals can also be had with both teams projected to score at least six runs.

MLB Free Pick: All OVERS are go in a game with unreliable MLB betting starters