In the first of a three-game series between the Oakland Athletics (58-76) and the Seattle Mariners (63-71) at O.co Coliseum, Aaron Brooks (1-1, 5.47 ERA) and Edgar Olmos (1-0, 2.13 ERA) get the start. The game gets underway at 10:05 p.m. ET on Friday, Sep. 4 and will air on CSCA and RTNW.
In his last start, Brooks pitched 6.0 innings, allowing two runs, striking out four and walking one in a 3-2 loss to the Diamondbacks. Stephen Vogt (.269, 53 Rs, 18 HRs, 67 RBIs) went 1 for 1 Wednesday. The Mariners were unsuccessful to the White Sox 6-5 the last time Olmos pitched. He went 5.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out two and walking five. Nelson Cruz (.310, 77 Rs, 39 HRs, 82 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 4 Wednesday.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. The Athletics have an SU record of 26-29 against teams in their division. The most recent 10-game stretch for the Athletics has gone great. Over that span, Oakland is averaging 5.7 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.1. As for the pitching staff, the Athletics rank fifth in the AL in ERA with a 3.72 team average. The Athletics don’t give up many hits to opposing batters, ranking fifth in the AL with only 8.2 hits allowed per game.
Against fellow AL West members, the Mariners are 28-26 SU. Seattle has been playing better lately, averaging 5.3 runs per game, more than their season average of 3.9. The Mariners are known for their power, smashing 162 home runs.
The Mariners have gotten the best of the Athletics in head-to-head matchups this season, going 9-4. The Athletics will take on a left-hander (Olmos) in this game. They have struggled against left-handed starting pitchers this season, going 12-27. The right-handed Brooks will take the mound against the Mariners, who have a 46-45 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – Oak
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Oakland is 25-33, while Seattle is 19-31.
The Seattle batters brought in a solid 13 hits last game. Oakland has a record of 0-12 when their opponents get that many hits or more.
When they are outhit, the Athletics are 8-49. The Mariners have a 16-47 record when opponents outhit them.
Oakland ranks near the bottom of the league at 23rd when it comes to home runs, hitting 110 this season. Seattle ranks in the top five at fifth with 162.
Ranking 11th, Seattle is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.48 per game. Oakland ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 8.71.
Ranking 24th, Oakland is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.704). Seattle ranks in the bottom half at 17th with an OPS of .718.
The Mariners are 31-58 when they allow at least one home run. The Athletics perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 21-57 record.
