Who's ready for an AL West showdown? The Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners will go head-to-head in the Pacific Northwest in a battle with major divisional implications. It's time to continue our MLB odds series with a Rangers-Mariners prediction and pick.

Rangers-Mariners Projected Starters 

Andrew Heaney vs. Luis Castillo

Andrew Heaney (2-7) with a 4.06 ERA …

Last Start: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K's

2024 Road Splits: 33.2 IP, 1-2, 3.21 ERA

Luis Castillo (5-7) with a 3.35 ERA …

Last Start: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 K's

2024 Home Splits: 42.2 IP, 3-3, 2.95 ERA

The defending World Series champs have had their hands full to begin the season, but could they be hitting their stride at the perfect time? At first glance, Texas has underperformed with their 33-35 record. However, the Rangers were able to put two of three games in the win column against the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers and have managed to be victorious in three of their past four games. Are things finally beginning to look up for last year's champions?

Meanwhile, the Mariners are hitting on all cylinders and don't appear to be slowing down anytime soon. Against the Rangers this season, the Mariners have won two of three matchups and also lead the AL West division with a 5.5-game lead over Texas. All together, Seattle is 40-31 and was recently on a four-game winning streak before falling in extras to the Chicago White Sox by a score of 3-2 on Thursday.

Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

MLB Odds: Rangers-Mariners Odds

Texas Rangers: +1.5 (-200)

Moneyline: +120

Seattle Mariners: -1.5 (+164)

Moneyline: -142

Over: 7 (-120)

Under: 7 (-102)

How to Watch Rangers vs. Mariners

Time: 10:10 ET/7:10 PT

TV: MLB.TV

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why The Rangers Will Cover The Spread/Win

Besting a rock-solid team like the Mariners on their home turf won't be an easy task whatsoever, but the Rangers' best hope may fall on Andrew Heaney and the rest of the Texas pitching staff.

On paper, the Rangers have help opposing hitters to just a .229 batting average, but they have often struggled in terms of keeping runners off the base paths. For someone like Heaney who has limped his way to a 2-7 record, he will need to establish a rhythm from the rubber almost immediately. By getting off on the right foot in the opening frames of this pivotal contest, then will allow the Texas offense to not press and string together some productive at-bats.

With the absence of Corey Seager from the Rangers lineup due to an injury, it may be up to some unlikely heroes to pave the way offensively and get the job done. Keep your eyes peeled on the surging Josh Smith who happens to be leading the club with his .295 batting average.

Why The Mariners Will Cover The Spread/Win

Without a doubt, the Seattle Mariners are dynamic bunch when pitching from the mound. Obviously, the M's love to flex their dominance in this category as their shutdown arms have been a large reason why success has followed not too far behind.

Believe it or not, but it has been the starting pitching specifically that has been considered lights out. Not only does Seattle boast the top WHIP in the league with a magnificent 1.07 mark, but there is also no team in the majors with as many quality starts under their belts than the Mariners. In fact, Seattle has already garnered a whopping 43 quality starts and we have yet to reach the halfway point of the baseball season. With the savvy veteran in Luis Castillo set to take the mound in this one, don't be surprised if this trend continues for yet another contest.

With the hope that this series against their AL West foes will give them a golden opportunity to extend their division lead, the bats need to come alive in a big way as well. Above all else, look no further than centerfielder Julio Rodriguez to slowly but surely regain his powerful hitting form from years past. Currently, Rodriguez is belting a team-leading .268 batting average but has hit only six homers on the season. Who knows, it may end up being the talented 23-year-old who comes up with a clutch hit in this one to put Seattle on top for good.

Final Rangers-Mariners Prediction & Pick

It is hard to put into words how critical this game and series is for the Texas Rangers, Despite the MLB regular season only being halfway through June, the Rangers will have a tremendous opportunity to gain some ground in the AL West race with a couple of victories over the next several days. With an increased focus for the defending World Series champs, don't be afraid to take the Rangers here to at least cover the spread.

Click here for more betting news and predictions

Final Rangers-Mariners Prediction & Pick: Rangers +1.5 (-200)