Felix Hernandez (7-4, 3.34 ERA) and Wily Peralta (5-8, 6.00 ERA) are on the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Seattle Mariners (65-56) and the Milwaukee Brewers (52-69) at Safeco Field. The Brewers lost the last game 7-6, continuing a five-game losing streak. Action begins at 9:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 20 and can be seen on FSWI and RTNW.
Hernandez pitched 6.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering two runs, striking out eight and walking four in a 3-2 win over the Angels. Nelson Cruz (.286, 71 Rs, 31 HRs, 76 RBIs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run and one RBI. Peralta went 6.0 innings, surrendering one run, striking out five and walking one in a 7-3 win over the Reds in his last outing. Chris Carter (.221, 59 Rs, 28 HRs, 67 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
This one isn’t expected to be close when Seattle, a big -210 favorite, takes on Milwaukee. According to the oddsmakers, the Over/Under (O/U) is currently eight runs. The Mariners have an overall money line of +260 and a record as the favorite of 36-29. Seattle is unbeaten as the favorite and has a 7-3 SU record in its last ten outings. The Mariners have seen an uptick in scoring against teams in the NL, averaging 6.1 runs per game. They average 4.7 runs per game on the season. Seattle is one of the best in the AL in terms of walks at home, earning an average of 3.4 per game. Opposing batters know they’re in for a battle when they play Seattle. The Mariners are one of the top teams when it comes to pitching, allowing just 4.3 runs per game. The Mariners are the third-best team in the AL at limiting hits during home games, allowing only 8.5 hits per game to their opponents this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Mariners, who rank fifth in the AL in strikeouts per game with 8.3.
Over in the other dugout, Milwaukee is coming in with an overall money line of -966 and a disappointing record of 33-51 as the underdog. They have been on a bit of a dry streak over their last 10 games. They managed a 0-4 record when playing as the underdog. Offensively, the Brewers have really picked up the pace in interleague games. They have exceeded their season average of 4.1 runs per game by averaging 4.7 in those contests. The Brewers are an excellent base-stealing team with an MLB-best 136 stolen bases.
The Mariners have the edge in the season series, 1-0. The Mariners have a 46-31 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Peralta takes the mound. Hernandez (RHP) will be on the hill against the Brewers, who have inferior records against right-handed starting pitchers on the road and overall of 10-30 and 30-53, respectively.
Predictions: SU Winner – SEA, O/U – Over
Notes
Seattle is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle’s last 6 games.
Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
For the 25th time this season, the Brewers registered at least two errors in a game.
The Mariners managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Brewers who are coming in with a 29-31 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Brewers are 8-57. The Mariners have a 14-39 record when opponents outhit them.
Milwaukee ranks in the bottom half of the league at 19th when it comes to home runs, hitting 135 this season. Seattle ranks in the top five with 170.
Ranking 12th, Milwaukee is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.12 per game. Seattle ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 8.86.
Ranking 21st, Milwaukee is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.730). Seattle ranks in the top 10 at eighth with an OPS of .761.
When the Brewers allow at least one home run, they are 32-52. When the Mariners allow one or more homers, they have a 43-46 record.
