7/24: Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers, Game 1

Ryan Feierabend (1-3, 9.31 ERA) vs. John Rheinecker (0-0, 12.00 ERA)

This game has the words "possible nightmare" written all over it. Rheinecker owned the Mariners last year to the tune of a 1.69 ERA over 10.2 innings. He doesn't really have an out pitch (only 28 strikeouts in 70.2 innings last year), but he does get a lot of groundballs (58.9% GB%, 2.69 GB/FB). Of the teams he faced last year for any significant amount (more than 7 innings), the Mariners (.383 OPS-against) and the Blue Jays (.436 OPS-against) were the only teams he held to a sub-.850 OPS-against. Boston (1.004 OPS-against), Chicago (.885 OPS-against), and Minnesota (1.216 OPS-against) all absolutely destroyed him.

Given the recent offensive struggles of the Mariners, and the downright suckitude of Ryan Feierabend, this game could be out of hand before you know it. Ameriquest has been less of a hitter's park over the last few years (2007 park factors: batting - 104, pitching - 103), but can still hurt flyball heavy pitchers with lousy control (Feierabend, I'm looking at you: 4.97 BB/9, 0.69 GB/FB).

Lineups are in:

Seattle -
Ichiro DH
Lopez 2B
Guillen RF
Beltre 3B
Sexson 1B
Johjima C
Betancourt SS
Bloomquist CF
Ellison LF

Texas -
Hairston RF
Young SS
Teixeira 1B
Sosa DH
Byrd CF
Melhuse C
Wilkerson LF
Relaford 2B
Metcalf 3B