The Rangers are back in first place in the AL West, with the Mariners right on their heels, heading into the middle game of this three-game series in Arlington Saturday night.

Lefty Jordan Montgomery hits the hill for Texas here against Logan Gilbert for Seattle.

How are we playing this game with our free baseball betting pick?

MLB Betting Odds

Saturday’s baseball betting market opened this game at right around a pick ‘em, with an over/under of 8.5 runs. Both figures were holding steady in the early betting action.

Mariners-Rangers Betting Preview

Texas took the opener of this series Friday night 8-5. The Rangers took the lead for good with a run in the bottom of the first inning, added three more in the second and put the game away with four more in the fifth.

Texas won Friday as a -130 favorite on the dime line and the game played over a total of 9.5.

With Friday’s win the Rangers own a three-game winning streak. At 85-68 overall Texas is back in first place in the AL West, a half-game up on second-place Houston.

Meanwhile, Friday’s loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Seattle. At 84-69 overall the Mariners trail the Astros by a half-game in the battle for the final American League wild-card spot.

The Rangers lead the season series with the Mariners six games to one.

Saturday's Pitching Match-Up

Montgomery is two for his last two on quality starts. Monday he held Boston to one run and five hits through seven innings, with one walk against eight strikeouts, although the bullpen blew that game in a 4-2 Texas loss. And just before that he tossed seven scoreless innings against Toronto.

The Rangers are only 3-6 with Montgomery since acquiring him in a deadline trade, although that’s at least a couple games worse than they should be, based on his game-by-game performances.

This will be Montgomery’s first start against Seattle since 2021, which is kind of already a long time ago.

Gilbert is one for his last three on quality starts. Last Sunday he gave up five runs and two home runs through five innings of a 6-1 Mariners loss to the Dodgers. And over his last three starts he’s allowed 11 runs and 20 hits through 17 1/3 innings.

Seattle is 17-13 with Gilbert this season but only 1-3 his last four times out.

Over three career starts against Texas, one this season and two last season, Gilbert allowed six runs and 12 hits through 17 2/3 innings. Somehow, the Mariners lost two of those three games.

Splits With the Sticks

When facing left-handed pitchers this season, Seattle has produced a batting average of .260, with a .332 team on-base percentage and a .409 team slugging percentage.

In contrast, Texas has posted a slash line of .263/.335/.457 when pitted against right-handed pitching.

The Bullpens

The Rangers' bullpen has maintained a 4.88 ERA this season, alongside a 1.29 WHIP and a 2.72 K/BB ratio. However, closer Ryan Pressly has recently struggled and was responsible for blowing Monday night's game.

Seattle's bullpen has posted a 3.53 ERA, with a 1.27 WHIP and a 2.89 K/BB ratio. Despite losing closer Pedro Bautista to a sore elbow three weeks ago, this unit has suffered only one defeat since.

MLB Betting Trends

The Seattle Mariners have displayed their prowess on the road, amassing a league-best record of 49-26 away from home. They've also notched a 60-39 record against right-handed starters.

Meanwhile, Texas has posted a less impressive record of 38-38 at home and holds a 57-47 record against right-handed starters.

Totals Report

The Seattle Mariners have found themselves in an even split between overs and unders this season, with 72 games leaning toward the over.

For the Texas Rangers, overs have reigned supreme in 80 of their 148 games.

At Globe Life Field, unders have prevailed in 45 of 72 games this season.