Seattle @ Texas preview

Seattle at Texas

Last Meeting ( Sep 14, 2012 ) Seattle 3, Texas 9

The Texas Rangers are likely to get a little healthier Saturday as they host the Seattle Mariners in the middle contest of their three-game series. Texas, which rolled to a 9-3 triumph in the series opener, is expected to activate both catcher Mike Napoli and reliever Robbie Ross from the disabled list. Napoli has been sidelined since Aug. 11 with a strained left quadriceps muscle, while Ross has been out since Aug. 30 with tightness in his left forearm.

The Rangers maintained their three-game lead over the Oakland Athletics with Friday's victory. Ian Kinsler led off the game for Texas with a home run while Josh Hamilton added his major league-leading 42nd blast. Hamilton also had a run-scoring double, giving him a league-best 123 RBIs. Seattle has lost two straight games and five of its last seven. The Mariners began their six-game road trip with a pair of one-run victories in Toronto but have been outscored 17-6 in their last two contests.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, Root Sports (Seattle), TXA-21 (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Jason Vargas (14-10, 3.85 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Scott Feldman (6-11, 4.97)

Vargas has lost two of his last three starts, including a setback against Oakland on Sunday in which he allowed three runs over seven innings. The 29-year-old yielded three runs or less in 10 consecutive outings before surrendering six in back-to-back starts at Chicago and Minnesota on Aug. 24 and 29. Vargas, who is 9-6 on the road, defeated the Rangers on May 29, improving to 4-5 in 13 career games - 11 starts - against Texas.

Feldman has not won since Aug. 4 at Kansas City, going 0-5 with a 5.97 ERA in his last six starts. The 29-year-old yielded three runs over 6 1/3 frames on the road against the Royals on Thursday but did not factor in the decision. Feldman is 5-5 with a 3.67 ERA in 24 career meetings with the Mariners.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas RHP Yu Darvish became the 16th rookie in major-league history to reach the 200-strikeout plateau when he fanned nine on Friday.

2. OF Michael Saunders is the first Mariner since Franklin Gutierrez in 2009 to record 15 home runs and 15 stolen bases in the same season.

3. Adrian Beltre is expected to be back at third base for the Rangers after serving as the team's designated hitter each of the last two games.