Hisashi Iwakuma (0-1, 6.61 ERA) and Kyle Gibson (1-2, 5.87 ERA) are on the hill in the last of a three-game series between the Seattle Mariners (7-10) and the Minnesota Twins (7-10) at Safeco Field. The Twins won the last game 8-5 and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 4:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Apr. 26 and can be seen on FSN-N and ROOT-NW.
Iwakuma is 5-0 with a 0.00 ERA in his appearances against the Twins, and goes up against a below-average Minnesota offense which is batting just .226 this season. Nelson Cruz (.324, 11 Rs, 9 HRs, 20 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with two RBIs. Against the Mariners, Gibson is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts. Brian Dozier (.215, 11 Rs, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 5 yesterday with two runs, one RBI, and one stolen base.
Seattle is a -138 favorite against Minnesota and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Mariners have an overall money line of -415 and a record as the favorite of 6-6. Seattle’s batters do not strike out very often at home, with only 6.6 per game. As for the pitchers, opposing offenses that come to Safeco Field have been stifled by the Mariners, who have a team ERA of only 2.80 at home. The Mariners are the fourth-best team in the AL at limiting hits during home games, allowing only 7.4 hits per game to their opponents this season.
As for their opponent, Minnesota is coming in with an overall money line of -274 and a disappointing record of 6-9 as the underdog. When it comes to issuing walks, the Twins have the fourth-fewest in the AL with an average of just 2.8 walks allowed per game.
The Mariners have a 6-5 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Gibson takes the mound. Iwakuma (LHP) will be on the hill against the Twins, who have a 2-4 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – SEA, O/U – Under
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Seattle is 4-0, while Minnesota is 0-4.
The Mariners managed to give up seven walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Twins who are coming in with a 2-0 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Twins are 2-9. The Mariners have a 3-7 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 29th in home runs, Minnesota has hit nine this season. Seattle ranks fifth with 22 home runs.
Ranking 12th, Minnesota is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.38 per game. Seattle ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 8.19.
Ranking 28th, Minnesota is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.603). Seattle ranks in the top half at 13th with an OPS of .701.
When the Twins allow at least one home run, they are 4-8, well-matched with the Mariners who are 3-8 when allowing at least one homer.
