Texas Rangers' star shortstop Corey Seager has been on an absolute tear this season, returning from a month-long injury and continuing to crush the ball like it's nobody's business. His red-hot start makes him the perfect pick for the Over 1.5 hits, runs, and RBIs in the upcoming game against the Baltimore Orioles. The opposing pitcher, Grayson Rodriguez, has been struggling on the mound, allowing a sky-high 52% hard-hit rate and a .295 batting average against.
Seager's early 2023 performance has been nothing short of electric. Prior to hitting the injured list in April, he boasted a .359 average with an OPS of 1.007. Since his return on May 17th, he's picked up right where he left off, showing no signs of slowing down. Seager's wRC+ of 178 in his 74 plate appearances this year is a testament to his offensive prowess and ability to make an impact at the plate.
The 29-year-old shortstop's peripheral stats are equally impressive. His average exit velocity sits at a blazing 95 miles per hour, with a fantastic hard-hit rate of 52.9%. Out of his 51 batted balls in 2023, 10 have been barrels, giving him an outstanding barrel rate of just under 20%. These numbers indicate that Seager is locked in and ready to keep raking. He hits near the top (2nd) of the lineup which is key when playing this type of prop.
On the other hand, Baltimore's Grayson Rodriguez has had a rough go on the mound this season. Opposing batters are hitting .295 against him, and he's allowing a ginormous 52.0% hard-hit rate. The league average is around 35%, so that number is exponentially high. This matchup is shaping up to be a field day for Seager, who's already proven himself to be a force at the plate.
The Rangers' offense as a whole has been a juggernaut this season, averaging a league-best 6.33 runs per game. They've managed to put up these numbers without Seager for a large portion of the year, so his return to the lineup only adds more firepower. With players like Nathaniel Lowe, Adolis Garcia, Josh Jung, and Jonah Heim contributing significantly, Seager's presence in the lineup only elevates their offensive capabilities. The Rangers own a +112 run differential, which ranks No. 2 right behind the Tampa Bay Rays.
It's also worth noting that second baseman Marcus Semien, who signed a $175 million contract with the Rangers two offseasons ago, has been putting up solid numbers this year. His strong start adds another layer of depth to the Rangers' lineup, making it even more challenging for opposing pitchers like Rodriguez. Semien has eight hits in the last five games, raising his season OPS (on base + slugging) to .870!
The Texas Rangers' red-hot offense, combined with Corey Seager's impressive performance and Grayson Rodriguez's struggles on the mound, creates an ideal situation for Seager to eclipse the Over 1.5 (-140) hits, runs, and RBI.
My Selection: Corey Seager Over 1.5 (-140) Hits + Runs + RBI
Twitter: @JHSPORTSLINE
| Jeff Hochman | |
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