Texas Rangers using Andrew Cashner to get even against Mariners

Once a Padre, Andrew Cashner will start his first game for the Texas Rangers Saturday night in Seattle. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

The Texas Rangers dropped a tough one Friday night against Seattle, but Andrew Cashner will make his Texas debut in game two.

The Texas Rangers had flashbacks of 2015 with Felix Hernandez on the mound Friday night. But now, they’ll hand the ball to one of their newest members in Andrew Cashner to even the series Saturday. James Paxton will oppose him for the Mariners.

Cashner at Safeco

Having played all six previous seasons on National League teams, Cashner hasn’t had much exposure to Safeco Field. With just a relief appearance and a start on his resumé previously, Saturday’s game will mark the third of his career in Seattle.

The first time came way back in 2010 as a member of the Chicago Cubs bullpen. Cashner went two innings, surrendering a run on three hits and a walk. He ended up with the blown save in what was just his eighth career game played. He didn’t return there until last season with the Padres.

Although Cashner lasted 6 1/3 innings, he did give up four runs (three earned) on six hits and a base on balls. He pitched well enough to get a quality start, and with most lineups he would’ve had a fighting chance for a victory that day. But since he had “Padres” written across his chest, that just wasn’t possible. Of course, the two run blast from Kyle Seager didn’t make life any easier for Cashner that day.

Cashner vs. the Mariners

That start is the last time Cashner faced the Mariners. Overall, Saturday will mark the fifth time Cashner has played against them. He’s 0-2 in three previous starts against Seattle with a respectable 3.80 earned run average.

Among current Mariners players, Seager has caused him the most problems. He’s batted .375 with a home run and two runs batted in through nine plate appearances. While that’s not a large sample size, remember that Cashner’s been in the opposite league for the first six years of his career.

Robinson Cano, on the other hand, has batted just .222 in 10 plate appearances against Cashner. He has two singles and a walk in that time and was 0/3 in Cashner’s start at Safeco last season.

The Rangers vs. Paxton

For Seattle, Paxton enters with a 1-0 record and a 0.00 earned run average for the season. Granted, he’s only started two games, but he’s looked really good thus far. But the Rangers have not been so kind to Paxton over his three starts against them.

The last time Paxton took on the Rangers, he faced Friday night’s starter for Texas, Martin Perez. In just 4 1/3 innings, he gave up six runs (four earned) on nine hits after 108 pitches. He did manage to strike out eight Texas hitters, but he also took the loss.

Rangers catcher Jonathan Lucroy took him deep in that one and both Elvis Andrus and Carlos Gomez tagged him for doubles. That of course leads to the list of Rangers that have hit him well.

Second baseman Rougned Odor has faced him more times than any other current Texas hitter and has a .294 average in 17 at bats. He has five hits against Paxton, but all of them have been singles. He doesn’t have a single extra base hit off of him.

Delino DeShields two singles and a double in nine career at bats against Paxton and Gomez is 2/7 with a double and two runs batted in. In total, current Rangers hitters have combined for a .275 average against Paxton over his career. The only current Texas hitter to homer off of Paxton is Lucroy, who did it last year while playing for Milwaukee.

Among those that have struggled is Mike Napoli. He’s hitless in eight plate appearances with a walk and three strikeouts.

What to expect

With Cashner coming off of injury and Paxton having a history of getting hit hard by the Rangers, expect both teams to score around six or seven runs each. Cashner has the upper hand with veteran experience and the Rangers have succeeded more against Paxton than the Mariners have vs. Cashner.

Next: Rangers preseason predictions by Sport DFW Staff

If the Texas bullpen comes in ready to go at least three innings, the Rangers have a chance. On the other hand, the Seattle bullpen comes in more rested after being essentially rested Friday night. But that’s not enough of an edge and the Rangers win 8-6 thanks to home runs from Gomez and Andrus.

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