Today’s matchup is between the Texas Rangers (22-31) and the Seattle Mariners (25-27). The Rangers have won 1 of their last 5 games & the Mariners have won 4 of their last 5 games.
The Rangers are starting Hyeon-Jong Yang (LHP), on the mound who is 0-2 on the season pitching a 5.47 ERA, 5.83 FIP, .336 wOBA, K% of 16.5%, BB% of 11.7%, 88.8 MPH average exit velocity, and a 1.34 WHIP in 24.2 innings pitched.
The Mariners are starting Yusei Kikuchi (LHP), who is 2-3 on the season with a 4.02 ERA, 4.51 FIP, .288 wOBA, K% of 25.0%, BB% of 8.5%, 91.0 MPH average exit velocity, and a 1.09 WHIP in 56.0 innings pitched.
The Rangers are 17th in the Majors in Relieving Pitching (WAR) while the Mariners are 10th.
On the hitting side, the Rangers have a .306 wOBA and a .307 OBP. The Mariners have a .282 wOBA and a .280 OBP. The Rangers have 62 HRs this season while the Mariners have 54 HRs.
The Mariners have been the much hotter team the past 5 games while the Rangers are struggling to get wins. It doesn't help that they have Hyeon-Jong Yang on the mound either. Yusei Kikuchi is an average pitcher at best but I feel he gets the job done in this spot. Give me the Mariners!
