Free MLB Picks: Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers: July 9th 2009

Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers
Free MLB Picks: Texas Rangers (165) - Thu July 9th 2009 10:10p
Visit Touthouse.com for more MLB picks and baseball odds from Mike Rose

Tommy Hunter had a birthday he won’t soon forget in his last time out against Tampa Bay. The righty picked up his first career victory in the “Bigs” by limiting the Rays to just three hits and one earned run while throwing 90 pitches through his 5.1 innings of work. He struck out a career-high five batters, and 55 of his 90 pitches went for strikes. Since giving up a combined 20 earned runs in his first three starts at this level last season, Hunter has surrendered a total of just six earned runs in his three 2009 starts.

Felix Hernandez put together a phenomenal month of June that saw him earn Pitcher of the Month honors by going 3-0 with a miniscule 0.94 ERA and a K/BB ratio of 35/12. He remained undefeated at Fenway Park his last time out where he earned a no decision by going seven innings and allowing seven hits and three earned runs in the Mariner’s extra inning road win.

Strangely, he’s been more hittable in the pitcher friendly Safeco Field where he’s 3-2 with a 3.64 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in seven starts. He’s also had a rough go of it solving the Rangers potent line-up going 4-9 with a 4.35 ERA & 1.33 WHIP in 18 career starts.

Even though this will be Tommy Hunter’s first road start of the season, this line is laughable. The Rangers are on a roll right now and playing with extreme confidence, while the M’s come into this one just having their hearts ripped out. Their bullpens been bad throughout the last week, and that’s not a good sign for manager Wakamatsu’s club knowing that Texas’ line-up isn’t intimidated by Hernandez’ stuff in the least. Too much value here.

Back the nice-sized division leading road pups in Game 1!