The set up: Seven teams are separated by just 3.5 games in the fight for the final Wild Card spot in the American League. You can count both the Mariners and Rangers among them. Texas is 71-71 on the year and has arguably played better than any of their fellow Wild Card contenders. But they lost two of three to the Yankees over the weekend, which did them no favors. Seattle is off a winning weekend as they took two of three from the Angels in a critical series. But that was at home and the M's have still lost four of six overall. They've been a big money loser as a road underdog of +125 to +175 this year, going just 9-17.

The pitching matchup: Texas will have Cole Hamels starting this all-important series opener. While he hasn't pitched all that well of late (8.22 ERA last three starts!), Hamels is unbeaten in Arlington this year, going 6-0 in nine starts here. Seattle has given him trouble in the past, but getting to pitch at home tonight should be huge for the southpaw. Seattle goes with Ariel Miranda, who has won just one time in his last 11 trips to the mound. Despite a 10-5 team start record, Miranda has some pretty ugly numbers when pitching on the road and unlike Hamels there isn't much of a track record to lean on with him.

The pick: Supporters may point to the fact that Miranda didn't allow a hit in his last start (lasted six innings). But that's a little bit misleading as he walked six, which heavily contributed to the fact Seattle lost 3-1 to Houston. His previous road start saw Miranda allow six runs. Texas, which lost 16-7 on Sunday, is 25-15 after allowing 10 or more runs the previous game. Make Texas a 10* play!