Garrett Richards (14-11, 3.73 ERA) and Vidal Nuno (1-4, 3.30 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Los Angeles Angels (78-74) and the Seattle Mariners (74-79) at Angel Stadium. Action begins at 10:05 p.m. ET on Friday, Sep. 25 and can be seen on RTNW, FSW and MLBN.
Richards pitched 8.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering two runs, striking out seven and walking four in a 5-2 win over the Twins. Mike Trout (.294, 97 Rs, 40 HRs, 87 RBIs, 10 SBs) had another good game Wednesday, going 2 for 4 with two runs. Nuno went 3.1 innings, surrendering four runs (one unearned), striking out three and walking four in a 10-1 defeat to the Rangers in his last outing. Welington Castillo (.243, 41 Rs, 19 HRs, 52 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
The odds for Los Angeles and Seattle are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. Within its division, Los Angeles has a record of 37-29 SU.
The Mariners are 37-30 against AL West opponents. Offensively, the Mariners have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 4.1 runs per game by averaging 5.2 during that stretch. The Mariners can change the game with one swing of the bat, ranking fifth in the league with 188 home runs. The Mariners allow 4.4 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 3.0 runs per game during that span.
The Angels lead the season series, 9-7. Richards (LHP) will be on the hill against the Mariners, who have a 22-28 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Sea
Notes
For the 16th time this season, the Mariners registered at least two errors in a game.
The Angels managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Mariners who are coming in with a 34-23 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
It looks like the Angels have a slight leg up on the Mariners, as the Angels have won their last two games while the Mariners have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Mariners are 49-21. The Angels have a 55-15 record when outhitting opponents.
Los Angeles and Seattle both rank near the bottom of the league in runs. Los Angeles sits at 25th with 609 runs this season and Seattle ranks 22nd with 624.
Ranking 21st, Los Angeles is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 407 this season. Seattle ranks in the top half at 13th with 455.
The Angels are 60-37 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Mariners are 63-46 when they hit at least one homer.
