The Texas Rangers will attempt to keep pace with the AL West leading Athletics this evening as they open a four game set with the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Start time in tonight’s Game 1 meeting between the Rangers and Mariners is set for 10:10pm ET. According to the latest MLB Thursday Odds, Seattle is expected to win, drawing -155 moneyline odds ($155 wins $100). The Over/Under for this evening’s divisional battle is set at seven runs; the Under is favored at -125 odds.

The Rangers have yet to lose a series this season; however, at 6-3, they find themselves a game back of the division leading Oakland Athletics.

Texas can, with a little help from the Angels, change that tonight. The Rangers, who dropped their series finale with the Rays last night (fell 0-2), must also find a way to thwart Mariners ace Felix Hernandez, though.

Hernandez is 12-16 lifetime against Texas, but his ERA in 34 career starts opposite the Rangers is an impressive 3.76. In 220.1 innings pitched against Ron Washington’s squad, has allowed 207 hits and struck out 193 batters.

The Venezuelan, who is 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA this season, has been especially hard on the Rangers in his last two outings against them, limiting Texas to nine hits and one earned run over 17 innings (recorded 9 strikeouts as well).

The Rangers will send Triple-A call up Justin Grimm to the hill. The 24 year old Grimm, who is filling in for the injured Matt Harrison, owns a 1-1 record to go along with a 9.00 ERA and 1.79 WHIP in the big leagues (five appearances, two starts). Tonight will mark his first ever meeting with the 4-6 Mariners.

Notable Trends: The Mariners are 1-9 in their last 10 games as a home favorite with a moneyline spread between 140 and 160.

Texas Rangers vs Seattle Mariners MLB Odds:

Texas Rangers +1.5 (-160), Over 7 (+105), +140 (Moneyline)

Seattle Mariners -1.5 (+140), Under 7 (-125), -155 (Moneyline)

Baseball Betting Tips from Chuck Edel & Johnny Detroit
Chuck Edel is a well respected gambler / handicapper who appears on numerous radio shows and is frequently featured in the Las Vegas Review Journal. He sits down with Johnny Detroit and goes over some of his personal MLB betting tips.