Chris Tillman (2-5, 6.34 ERA) and the Baltimore Orioles (17-20) go up against J.A. Happ (3-1, 2.98 ERA) and the Seattle Mariners (18-21) in the last of a three-game series at Camden Yards. The Mariners won the last game 4-2 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 12:35 p.m. ET on Thursday, May. 21 and will air on ROOT-NW, MASN and MLB Net.
Tillman is 6-0 with a 2.02 ERA against the Mariners in his career, and faces a struggling Seattle offense that’s hitting just .239 on the year. Adam Jones (.343, 20 Rs, 6 HRs, 25 RBIs) played well again yesterday, going 3 for 4 with one run. In his pitching opportunities against the Orioles, Happ is 2-3 with a 2.93 ERA. He gets a solid Baltimore offense that’s batting .262. Nelson Cruz (.351, 27 Rs, 16 HRs, 33 RBIs, 1 SB) has been doing well offensively for the Mariners, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Baltimore is a -120 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is eight runs. When playing as the favorite, the Orioles have an 11-8 record and overall money line at -236. The Orioles have one of the most prolific home offenses in the entire AL, averaging 5.3 runs per game. The Orioles are an exceptional hitting team with 9.2 hits per home game, one of the highest marks in the AL. Transitioning to the pitching staff, the Orioles don’t give up many hits to opposing batters, ranking third in the AL with only 7.6 hits allowed per game.
Across the field, the Mariners have a subpar record of 3-7 when they are the underdog and are -855 overall with the money line. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in the AL with an average of 7.7 strikeouts per game.
The right-handed Tillman will take the mound against the Mariners, who have a 14-16 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – BAL, O/U – Over
Notes
When the Orioles play into extra innings, they have a 1-0 record. The Mariners are 3-3 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Mariners are coming into this game after allowing zero walks during their last outing. The Orioles have a 0-6 record when opponents give up that many walks.
When they outhit their opponents, the Mariners are 9-7. The Orioles have a 15-5 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 25th in runs, Seattle has earned 148 this season. Baltimore ranks 13th with 167 runs.
Baltimore and Seattle both rank near the bottom of the league in walks. Baltimore sits at 28th with 88 this season and Seattle ranks 21st with 100.
When the Orioles hit at least one home run, the team is 15-12. Seattle has the same record when it hits one or more homers.
