Revenge of the Alamo: Rangers Series Preview Part 1

By Patrick

"Can you believe how well I'm pitching?"

The Mariners haven't won since Wednesday. That's fine. It's also pretty typical. But this weekend series really hurt with every loss. First, Dan Haren absolutely humbles the lineup, reminding them they still can't hit consistently and striking out fourteen M's just for good measure. Then Friday, Brandon League implodes in the ninth and blows a win for Blake Beavan that he both deserved and needed. Saturday, King Felix allows a sixth inning grand slam and pitches below average in a game where the M's needed to stop the bleeding. And finally Sunday, Hector Noesi gets his second straight dose of what it's like to be a Mariner pitcher, as he threw another stellar eight innings but lost yet again. Seattle can't buy a break. Or run support, for that matter.

Now the M's head to Texas to try and right the ship. Last time they played in Texas, they lost three of four, and probably should have been swept. Last time they played Texas, they took two out of three and could have easily locked in the sweep. But that was before pitchers started throwing Alex Liddi curveballs. So who knows.

One thing's for certain. The Rangers don't want to lose another series to the lowly M's, especially at home. They would love to just sweep Seattle right back under the rug where they think we belong. And with no Felix in this series, they might just do that. I'm scared.

May 28: Old Man Jenkins (3-4, 3.72) vs. The Cold-Blooded Mariner Killer (5-3, 4.72)

That might be a stretch of a nickname for Matt Harrison, but the Mariners really do not hit him well ever. Going into his last start against the M's, Harrison was 6-1 with a 2.67 ERA lifetime against Seattle. So naturally, he went eight innings allowing just one run to improve to 7-1 and ruin my first trip to Safeco of 2012. I'm now 1-2 going to the ballpark, if you were wondering. Damn you, Alberto Callaspo. Anyway, the M's don't hit Harrison well, like ever. So that sucks. He's a lefty though, so at least we know why. The M's just don't hit dominant lefties well at all (i.e. CJ Wilson yesterday). But there is hope at least, since Kevin Millwood and his 17 straight scoreless innings streak take the hill for the Mariners. Millwood's turn around over his last three starts has been astounding. The guy was buried. The Mariners could have cut him if he had two more bad starts. But he's been successful, and has won his last three turns on the hill. So this might actually be a pitcher's duel in Arlington tonight.

Players to Watch:

John Jaso: I mentioned that first series that the Mariners should have lost all four in early this year? Well they won one game in that series thanks to Kevin Millwood and timely hitting from Jaso. Today, as just announced by Eric Wedge, Jaso will lead off for the second time in 2012. Interesting. With Kyle Seager at second base, Wedge clearly still has trust issues with his young second baseman Dustin Ackley. Jaso will need to shoulder some of the scoring load today, and hopefully he can create scoring opportunities for the M's early and often.

Mitch Moreland: Yes! No Josh Hamilton today! It's like Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one! With Hamilton out, the power needs to come from somewhere else in the lineup. Adrian Beltre maybe? Or Nelson Cruz? How about Moreland? He's hitting .301 this year, fifty points above his career average, and has eight homers. He went beast mode on Felix a week ago, and is having the best season of his career. And he hits eighth. I hate the Rangers so much.

Prediction:

M's 3, Rangers 2: Really? Am I actually picking this? Why not? Kevin Millwood hasn't allowed a run in his last two starts, and he's pitched well in two starts against Texas in 2012. Matt Harrison can't beat the Mariners forever. He's just not that good of a pitcher. Chone Figgins is back in the lineup again as well. Oh shit. My pick suddenly looks worse. But I'm sticking to my guns. Pitcher's duel, Millwood goes seven strong, and Tom Wilhelmsen (and not Brandon League) closes it out, with Delabar pitching the eighth. Go M's.