The Texas Rangers travel to Safeco Field this Thursday night for the first of a four-game weekend series against the Seattle Mariners. This AL West matchup is slated to get underway at 9:10 p.m. (ET), and the game will be broadcast on MLB.TV.

The Rangers have blasted out of the gates with a 6-2 start heading into the final game of a three-game set against Tampa Bay this Wednesday. Series wins over Houston, Los Angeles (Angels) and the Rays have them tied with Oakland for the lead in the division. The total has gone 3-4-1 in the eight games.

It has been a mixed bag for Seattle so far with a 4-5 record that includes a 2-2 split with the Athletics and a 2-1 series loss to the White Sox. It has split the first two games of this week’s three-game series against Houston with Game 3 slated for Wednesday night. The total has stayed “under” in three of their last four games.

Rangers at Mariners Betting Storylines

If there were any lingering concerns that the Rangers’ offensive production would drop off with the loss of Josh Hamilton this past offseason, they should be completely dispelled after the current lineup racked up 38 runs in its first eight games, including six in a rout of Tampa Bay on Tuesday night as -125 home favorites. Ian Kinsler has already belted three home runs, and Lance Berkman leads the team in runs batted in with seven.

Left-hander hurler Matt Harrison is expected to make his third start of the season on Thursday after getting tagged with losses in each of his first two outings. Against the Angels in his 2013 debut, he lasted just five innings after giving up five earned runs on eight hits. This past Saturday he surrendered another five earned runs on six hits against Houston. Seattle could be just what he needs to reverse this shaky start considering Harrison has a 2.06 ERA and 10-2 record in 14 career starts against the Mariners.

Seattle was on the wrong end of a 16-9 slugfest against Houston on Tuesday night as a -151 home favorite. It was a shame it had to waste a nine-run effort on just one game after scoring a combined nine runs in its previous three outings. Michael Morse has been the big bat for the Mariners so far with 10 hits and nine RBI in just 38 at bats. This performance includes an incredible six home runs. Kendrys Morales is also off to a fast start with nine hits and six RBI.

Look for staff ace Felix Hernandez to take the mound for Seattle in the series opener. He has also made two previous starts this season and has had mixed results. His 1-1 record and 2.57 ERA include a 2-0 masterpiece against Oakland in which the right-hander scattered just three hits in 7.2 innings of work. However, his last time out against Chicago, he got bounced around a bit with four earned runs on six hits in a 4-3 loss. Lifetime against the Rangers, Hernandez is 12-16 with an ERA of 3.76.

Rangers at Mariners MLB Betting Odds and Trends

Texas has been opened by BetOnline as a +125 road underdog on the money line with the Mariners listed as -135 home favorites. The “over/under” for this game has been set at 6.5.

The Rangers are 2-5 in their last seven road games against a right-handed starter but 14-3 in Harrison’s last 17 starts in Game 1 of a new series. The total has stayed under in six of their last eight games on the road.

The Mariners are 1-7 in Hernandez’s last eight starts and 2-6 in their last eight games against a left-handed starter. The total has gone over in seven of their last nine games in the first game of a series.

Head-to-head in this matchup, Texas is 9-1 in Harrison’s last 10 starts, including a 5-1 record in Seattle. The total has stayed under in his last seven starts in this series.

Rangers at Mariners Picks and Betting Predictions

Hernandez gives Seattle the best chance to come away with a win in the early weekend opener, but recent betting trends in this series are stacked pretty high against him. Stick with Texas to draw first blood against their division rivals with a victory on Thursday night as Harrison regains his form to help pace the win.

Doc’s Sports is offering $60 worth of member’s baseball picks absolutely free – no obligation, no sales people – you don’t even have to enter credit card information. You can use this $60 credit any way you please on any of our top MLB handicappers. Click here for more details and take advantage of this free $60 picks credit today.

Read more articles by Dave Schwab