In the last of a four-game series between the Seattle Mariners (16-20) and the Boston Red Sox (16-20) at Safeco Field, James Paxton (1-2, 4.31 ERA) and Justin Masterson (2-2, 6.37 ERA) take the mound. The Red Sox won the last game 4-2 and Boston leads the series 2-1. The game gets underway at 4:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 17 and will air on NESN and ROOT-NW.
In his most recent outing, Paxton pitched 6.0 innings, giving up zero runs, striking out five and walking five in an 11-4 victory over the Padres. Brad Miller (.264, 10 Rs, 4 HRs, 13 RBIs, 3 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 3 with two runs, two home runs, and two RBIs. In his career against the Mariners, Masterson is 4-0 with a 3.14 ERA. He gets a struggling Seattle offense that’s batting just .238. Hanley Ramirez (.272, 20 Rs, 10 HRs, 22 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 5 yesterday.
Seattle is a -146 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is eight runs. The Mariners are 13-13 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -689. They are 5-2 as the favorite over their last 10 games. Seattle’s pitching staff performs very well on its own field, with an AL-best 2.73 team ERA at home.
On the other side, the Red Sox have a record of 8-8 when they are the underdog and are -494 overall with the money line. The Red Sox will be looking to pick it up in this one after recent offensive struggles. In their 10 most recent games, Boston’s run production has dropped to 2.4 runs per game, compared to 3.8 for the duration of the season. Boston has an eye for the strike zone, averaging an AL-best 3.7 walks per game. Switching gears to Boston’s pitching staff, they have some of the most overpowering arms in the AL with an average of 7.4 strikeouts per road game.
In their previous three games this season, the Red Sox have a 2-1 record. This game will feature Masterson (RHP) on the mound against the Mariners, who have a 13-14 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Red Sox will be the left-hander Paxton. They sport a 5-5 record against southpaws.
Predictions: SU Winner – SEA, O/U – Over
Notes
When the Red Sox play into extra innings, they have a 2-1 record. The Mariners are 3-3 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Red Sox are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Mariners have a 6-14 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Mariners are 7-7. The Red Sox have a 14-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 26th, Seattle is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 135 this season. Boston ranks in the bottom half at 18th with 151.
Ranking 22nd, Seattle is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 93 this season. Boston ranks in the top five at second with 138.
The Mariners are 13-11 when they hit at least one home run. Boston has the same record when hitting one or more homers.
