Roenis Elias (0-1, 3.86 ERA) and Joe Kelly (1-2, 6.35 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a four-game series between the Seattle Mariners (15-18) and the Boston Red Sox (16-18) at Safeco Field. Action begins at 10:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, May. 14 and can be seen on NESN and ROOT-NW.
Elias pitched 7.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering three runs, striking out five and walking one in a 4-3 defeat to the Angels. Nelson Cruz (.346, 23 Rs, 15 HRs, 29 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday. When pitching against the Mariners, Kelly is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and five strikeouts. Hanley Ramirez (.261, 20 Rs, 10 HRs, 22 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate for the Red Sox, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Seattle is a -132 favorite against Boston and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Mariners have an overall money line of -679 and a record as the favorite of 12-12. Opposing offenses that come to Safeco Field have been stifled by the Mariners, who have a team ERA of only 2.87 at home. The Mariners are the fifth-best team in the AL at limiting hits during home games, allowing only 7.6 hits per game to their opponents this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Boston has a 7-7 record and an overall money line of -493. Offensively, the Red Sox have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 4.2 runs per game by averaging 2.7 during that stretch. Boston is excellent at drawing walks with an AL-best 3.8 per game. The Red Sox have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 7.5 strikeouts per road game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Mariners have a 12-13 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Kelly takes the mound. Elias (LHP) will be on the hill against the Red Sox, who have a 4-4 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – SEA, O/U – Over
Notes
Seattle is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games.
Seattle is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle’s last 5 games when playing Boston.
Seattle is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle’s last 5 games when playing at home against Boston.
Seattle is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Boston.
When leading after 7 innings, Seattle is 7-3, while Boston is 7-9.
The Mariners are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Red Sox have a 5-5 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Red Sox are 4-18. The Mariners have a 6-10 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking ninth in home runs, Boston has hit 35 this season. Seattle ranks third with 43 home runs.
Ranking 12th, Boston is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.91 per game. Seattle ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 8.21.
Ranking 25th, Boston is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.675). Seattle ranks in the top half at 14th with an OPS of .716.
When the Red Sox allow at least one home run, they are 6-17, well-matched with the Mariners who are 7-14 when allowing at least one homer.
