Roenis Elias (5-8, 3.89 ERA) and Sean Nolin (1-2, 5.25 ERA) start in the second of a three-game series between the Seattle Mariners (75-85) and the Oakland Athletics (67-93) at Safeco Field. The Athletics won the last game 4-2 and Oakland leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 9:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 3 and can be seen on CSCA and RTNW.
Elias pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering two runs, striking out five and walking two in a 3-2 defeat to the Astros. Nelson Cruz (.303, 89 Rs, 44 HRs, 93 RBIs, 3 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one RBI. Nolin went 2.1 innings, surrendering three runs (two unearned), striking out one and walking one in a 5-4 defeat to the Giants in his most recent start. Danny Valencia (.292, 57 Rs, 17 HRs, 63 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Athletics, going 3 for 4 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and two RBIs.
Seattle is a -154 favorite against Oakland and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Mariners have an overall money line of -1,997 and a record as the favorite of 42-47. Seattle has gone winless in its last 10 as the favorite. Opposing offenses that come to Safeco Field have been stifled by the Mariners, who have a team ERA of only 3.66 at home.
Over in the other dugout, Oakland is coming in with an overall money line of -2,965 and a disappointing record of 33-54 as the underdog. They played poorly as the underdog over their last 10 games with a 2-5 record, and a 3-7 record SU. The Athletics allow 4.5 runs per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 7.1 runs per game during that span.
The Mariners have controlled the season series, 12-5. The Mariners have a 22-30 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Nolin takes the mound. Elias (LHP) will be on the hill against the Athletics, who have inferior records against left-handed starting pitchers on the road and overall of 3-17 and 14-33, respectively.
Predictions: SU Winner – Sea, O/U – Over
Notes
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle’s last 6 games.
Seattle is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games.
Seattle is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle’s last 7 games when playing Oakland.
Seattle is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Oakland.
Seattle is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Oakland.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle’s last 6 games when playing at home against Oakland.
The Mariners are 38-36 against their divisional rivals, while the Athletics are 32-42 against their division.
Seattle has won 38% (24-40) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Oakland has won 41% (28-41) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Athletics are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Mariners have a 25-47 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Athletics are 12-62. The Mariners have an 18-57 record when opponents outhit them.
Oakland ranks near the bottom of the league at 21st when it comes to home runs, hitting 143 this season. Seattle ranks in the top five at fifth with 196.
Ranking 11th, Seattle is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.51 per game. Oakland ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 8.67.
Ranking 23rd, Oakland is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.708). Seattle ranks in the top half at 14th with an OPS of .725.
When the Athletics allow at least one home run, they are 29-70, well-matched with the Mariners who are 37-68 when allowing at least one homer.
