Felix Hernandez (4-0, 1.82 ERA) takes the hill for the Seattle Mariners (10-15) as they square off against Matt Shoemaker (2-1, 6.00 ERA) and the Los Angeles Angels (11-14) in the first of a three-game series at Angel Stadium. Action begins at 10:05 p.m. ET on Monday, May. 4 and can be seen on ROOT-NW and FSN-W.
Shoemaker is 3-0 with a 2.39 ERA in his appearances against the Mariners, and goes up against a below-average Seattle offense which is batting just .238 this season. Hernandez is 12-13 with a 3.47 ERA when pitching against the Angels. He takes on a below-average Los Angeles offense which is hitting just .224 this season. Seth Smith (.276, 8 Rs, 1 HR, 6 RBIs) has been successful at the plate, going 3 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Seattle takes on Los Angeles as a -149 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at seven runs. The Angels have an overall money line of -390 and a record as the underdog of 4-5. Los Angeles has had an impressive season against division opponents, earning 4-3 and 11-8 records as the underdog and SU respectively. Opposing offenses have been stifled by the Angels, who have a team ERA of only 3.83.
In games where it is the favorite, Seattle has a 8-11 record and an overall money line of -855. They are 7-8 as the favorite against AL West rivals, and 9-10 SU. Seattle is excellent at not striking out with just 7.2 per game, ranking fifth in the AL.
The Angels lead the season series, 2-1. The Angels have a 7-11 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Hernandez takes the mound. Shoemaker (RHP) will be on the hill against the Mariners, who have a 7-11 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – SEA, O/U – Over
Notes
The Mariners lost their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Angels are 2-4. The Mariners are 5-5 in close games this season.
The Mariners are 2-3 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Angels are 0-1 in such matchups.
The Mariners managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Angels who are heading in with a 5-2 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Mariners are 5-4. The Angels have a 7-3 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 24th, Seattle sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 92 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the bottom half at 20th with 95.
Ranking 22nd, Seattle is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 64 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the bottom half at 18th with 69.
When the Angels hit at least one home run, they are 8-7, well-matched with the Mariners who are 9-8 when hitting one or more homers.
