Chris Flexen vs. Mike Foltynewicz, 5:05pm
After being no-hit/near-perfecto’d by John Means, the Mariners head to Arlington to visit Globe Life Field and the Rangers. The M’s team batting average now stands at .201, lowest in the game. Even the lowly, rebuilding Rangers – whose best player is average-challenged Joey Gallo – are up at .236, which in 2021 makes them above average. Texas is no one’s idea of a *good* offense, but with a decent BABIP countering their strikeout-prone ways, they’re avoiding the trap that the M’s, Indians, and Tigers find themselves in.
Part of the reason that Texas has been able to out-hit what I would’ve expected include a rebound from Willie Calhoun, a former top prospect who nearly washed out after following up a hopeful 2019 season by cratering in 2020.