On Deck will be here all season to provide you with everything you need to know (and a few things you don't) about every Rangers series during the 2015 season.
The Opponent: The Mariners were demolished by the Red Sox last weekend, leaving their bullpen in shambles. They're limping into town looking to continue their inexplicable success against the Rangers.
Past 2015 Meetings: The Rangers are just 2-7 against the Mariners this season, illustrating their season-long trend of playing their best against good teams and playing down to poor teams.
Pitching Matchups: Monday — Cole Hamels (0-1, 5.93 ERA) vs. Taijuan Walker (8-7, 4.60); Tuesday — Chi Chi Gonzalez (2-4, 4.22) vs. Hisashi Iwakuma (4-2, 3.86); Wednesday — Martin Perez (1-2, 5.29) vs. Mike Montgomery (4-5, 4.14).
What's Hot: The Rangers are hot, and it shows with the way their lineup is hitting the baseball. They're led by Mitch Moreland, who's hitting .368 with a homer and four RBIs in his last five games. Shin-Soo Choo and Delino DeShields are each hitting .350 over the last six games and Adrian Beltre is hitting .348 with two homers and five RBIs in his last six. The quartet of Sam Dyson, Sam Freeman, Keone Kela and Shawn Tolleson has combined to toss 12 2/3 scoreless innings over the last week.
Robinson Cano is on a tear since switching spots in the lineup with Nelson Cruz, as the veteran second baseman is hitting .407 with two doubles and a homer in the last six games. Austin Jackson, a Denton native, is hitting .385 with four doubles and a homer in that same span. His last time out, Hisashi Iwakuma tossed a no-hitter.
What's Not: Rougned Odor is in a down spell at the moment, but with him since his return to Arlington, those never last too long. He's batting just .095 in his last six games. Mike Napoli had his first two hits since his return to Texas on Sunday afternoon.
Mike Montgomery allowed nine runs on 10 hits in two innings of work his last time out. Noted Ranger killer Kyle Seager is hitting just .200 over his last six games.
Sports Connection
Connecting you to your favorite North Texas sports teams as well as sports news around the globe.
Familiar Faces: Nelson Cruz spent eight seasons with the Rangers, leaving after the 2013 season. Adrian Beltre spent five years in Seattle (2005-09) in what were his worst seasons of his MLB career.
