Taijuan Walker (11-8, 4.56 ERA) and Eric Surkamp (0-0, 10.80 ERA) take the mound in the first of a three-game series between the Seattle Mariners (2-1) and the Oakland Athletics (1-3) at Safeco Field. Action begins at 10:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 8 and will air on CSCA and RTNW.
Walker takes the hill after pitching 169.2 innings last year, closing out the season with an 11-8 record, 4.56 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 157 strikeouts. Robinson Cano (.308 ) kept up his strong start Wednesday, going 2 for 4 with two runs, two home runs, and five RBIs.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Mariners are second in the AL in hits allowed with just 5.0 per game.
The Athletics are known for their bats, hitting a league-leading zero extra base hits. The Athletics have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 7.0 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
Predictions: SU Winner – SEA
Notes
Seattle has won all of its games (2-0) when leading after seven innings.
Oakland ranks near the bottom of the league at 23rd when it comes to home runs, hitting one this season. Seattle ranks in the top five with nine.
Ranking 20th, Oakland is in the bottom half of the league in hits, notching 7.00 per game. Seattle ranks in the top half at 11th with 9.67.
Both Seattle and Oakland are tied at first for their on-base plus slugging percentage of .000.
When the Athletics allow at least one home run, they are 0-2. When the Mariners allow one or more homers, they have a 1-0 record.
