ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Seattle Mariners come to town and Yu Darvish will kick the series off for the Rangers. He'll face fellow countryman Hisashi Iwakuma at 7:05 p.m. on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM and FSSW. Here's a look at the matchup:

Darvish (14-9, 4.14 ERA): This will be his 27th start of the season and he comes into the outing off five consecutive quality starts, going 3-1 with a 2.52 ERA and a .161 opponent batting average. ... The numbers are even better in his last three starts: 2-0, 1.64 ERA with a .147 opponent average. ... Darvish got the no-decision in his last start, a 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay in 10 innings. He gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits in eight innings. ... Darvish has 196 strikeouts, the most by any rookie and the third-most in the league. He's seeking to become just the third AL rookie since 1976 with more than 200 strikeouts. The others: Mark Langston (204 in 1984 for Seattle), Daisuke Matsuzaka (201 in 2007 for Boston). ... Darvish is 1-2 with a 9.00 ERA in three starts (16 innings) vs. Seattle this season.

Iwakuma (6-4, 3.39 ERA): The 31-year-old has won four of his last five decisions, but his most recent start was a short one and a loss. ... Iwakuma gave up five runs (four earned) on six hits in 3 2/3 innings with three strikeouts and two walks in a 6-1 loss to the Oakland A's. ... Iwakuma moved into the rotation in July and faced the Rangers that month in Seattle. He allowed four runs on seven hits in five innings with no strikeouts and three walks. ... As a starter, Iwakuma is 5-3 with a 2.80 ERA in 12 starts. ... He has an ERA more than two runs higher on the road (4.74) than at home.

Hitters: Ian Kinsler and Craig Gentry are both 2-for-3 and Kinsler has a HR off Iwakuma. ... Michael Young is 1-for-5. ... Mariner hitters are batting just .238 against Darvish this season. ... Kyle Seager is 3-for-7 with five RBIs. ... John Jaso is 2-for-4 with a homer. ... Michael Saunders and Brendan Ryan are a combined 2-for-14.

Up next:

Sat. vs. Sea: RHP Scott Feldman (6-11, 4.97) vs. LHP Jason Vargas (14-10, 3.85), 7:05 p.m., ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/TXA21
Sun. vs. Sea: LHP Matt Harrison (16-9, 3.36 ERA) vs. RHP Blake Beavan (9-9, 5.01), 2:05 p.m., ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/FSSW