MLB 7/10/09: Mark Picks The Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners

Written by Mark | 10 July 2009

 

Texas Rangers (47-37) at Seattle Mariners (44-41)

Friday July 10, 2009 10:10 PM EST

Starters: Scott Feldman (R)-(7-2, 3.87) vs. Brandon Morrow (R)-(0-3, 5.05)

Mark's Pick: Texas -115

I thought Texas was fading, leaving the Angels to take over the AL West, but the Rangers are proving to be tough customers and look like they will be in this for the long haul. Seattle started strong, faded and now seem to be regrouping, but I don't think the Mariners have enough ammunition to make a strong run at the division..

Feldman has had a fantastic year thus far and the Rangers have won seven of his last ten starts. He has been average over his last three appearances, going 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA, but the Texas bats have been potent over that span, averaging nearly six runs per game.

Morrow has struggled in his five '09 starts and Seattle has won just one of them. Going back to 2008, the Mariners are just 3-7 in his last ten outings and seldom give him many runs to work with. Marrow tends to throw a lot of pitches and the bullpen usually sees plenty of action when he totes the hill.

This game could be closer and lower scoring than people think, but I'll side with Texas because I think they are the better team, Feldman looks to have the edge on the mound and the Rangers want to build momentum heading into the All Star break.