Mariners vs Rangers Odds - Mariners on the ropes in AL West

The Mariners vs Rangers odds should be a crucial determining factor in “How the West Was Won.” A lot has changed since the All-Star Break, as the Mariners have tumbled out of contention while the Rangers have surged and are threatening the Angels. Will Texas put the nail in Seattle’s MLB betting coffin?

Mariners vs Rangers odds: Right-handed power bats will torment Seattle pitchers

• Garrett Olson serves up gopher balls like it’s his job
  
• A start at home is just what slumping Kevin Millwood needs
  
• Don’t expect many runs when King Felix faces the rookie Tommy Hunter

Thursday, July 30, 8:05 p.m. ET
Garrett Olson (3-4, 5.37) vs Derek Holland (3-6, 6.13)

The Mariners vs Rangers odds don’t exactly open with Halladay-Sabathia, so you should consider betting over the total in Game 1 of the series. Garrett Olson could be in huge trouble. He has an 11.88 ERA in three starts since the All-Star break and his homer rate is through the roof (15 in just 65.1 innings). He has a tough assignment against Texas’ power bats – especially since righties have hit 13 homers off him.

Derek Holland has been pretty terrible this season, but he’s at least beaten the Mariners once already. Expect major offensive fireworks for both teams, but the Rangers’ big righty sluggers like Nelson Cruz and Ian Kinsler should propel them to victory.

MLB betting pick: Rangers

Friday, July 31, 8:05 p.m. ET
Jason Vargas (3-4, 4.39) vs Kevin Millwood (9-7, 3.39)

Rangers No. 1 starter Kevin Millwood has been, er, a pain in the butt this month for Texas, sporting a 6.75 ERA. He left his last start with tightness in his gluteus but is supposedly good to go for Friday. The Mariners have beaten him up twice this season, but both of those starts came in Seattle. Millwood is 7-1 with a 2.53 ERA at Rangers Ballpark in 2009, so his Mariners vs Rangers odds are better than they seem at first glance.

Jason Vargas had one decent start in Texas earlier this year, but that was the exception rather than norm; he’s brutal on the road (1-3, 6.25) and often struggles against potent offenses. Avoid him.

MLB betting pick: Rangers

Saturday, August 1, 8:05 p.m. ET
Felix Hernandez (11-4, 2.79) vs Tommy Hunter (3-1, 2.00)

Is there a better road pitcher in baseball than King Felix? In 12 starts away from SAFECO Field this season, he’s 7-1 with a 1.91 ERA. Pitching in the West, Hernandez gives us a nice sample size to study for the Mariners vs Rangers odds, as he’s already faced Texas three times this season. He shut them out at Rangers Ballpark and has 22 strikeouts in 21 innings with a 3.00 ERA against them. The righty Hernandez should mow them down again; give him a mulligan on his poor recent outing against Toronto.

However, don’t expect Tommy Hunter to wilt either; it seems no lineup can solve the Rangers rookie so far this season. Since he’s so tough to read, you’re probably better off betting on the total at your offshore sportsbook. Go under.

MLB betting pick: Mariners

Sunday, August 2, 8:05 p.m. ET
Matchup TBD

The Mariners vs Rangers odds are cloudy for Sunday, but we could see Jarrod Washburn take the hill for Seattle – only if he isn’t traded before Friday’s deadline. If he’s still a Mariner on Sunday, he may get knocked around. The righty ranger bats are a tough matchup for him and he’s actually pitched better as he auditions for a role with a contender, so he may be deflated if he doesn’t get dealt.

MLB betting pick: Rangers (if Jarrod Washburn pitches for Seattle)

For full Mariners vs Rangers odds and other sports betting tips, keep reading the Betting Edge at betonline.com.

Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball.