In the second of a three-game series between the Seattle Mariners (7-9) and the Minnesota Twins (7-9) at Safeco Field, James Paxton (0-1, 8.40 ERA) and Trevor May (1-1, 4.76 ERA) get the ball. The Mariners won the last game 2-0 and Seattle leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 9:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 25 and will air on FSN-N and ROOT-NW.
In his most recent outing, Paxton pitched 2.2 innings, giving up seven runs and striking out one in an 11-10 loss to the Rangers. Nelson Cruz (.328, 11 Rs, 9 HRs, 18 RBIs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. The Twins were victorious the last time May pitched. He had a good outing, pitching, going 6.0 innings, allowing one run and striking out four in a 7-2 victory over the Indians. Trevor Plouffe (.264, 6 Rs, 2 HRs, 3 RBIs) has been doing well offensively for the Twins, going 2 for 3 yesterday.
Seattle, a -155 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Minnesota. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is set at seven runs. When playing as the favorite, the Mariners have a 5-6 record and overall money line at -515. The Mariners rank fifth in the AL in hits at home with 9.0 per game. Seattle’s pitching staff performs very well on its own field, recording a low 3.11 team ERA at home.
Across the field, the Twins have a record of 6-8 when they are the underdog and are -174 overall with the money line.
The only other game between the two teams went Seattle’s way. The Mariners will take on a right-hander (May) in this game and have a 5-5 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The left-handed Paxton will take the mound against the Twins, who have a 2-4 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – SEA, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Seattle is 4-0, while Minnesota is 0-4.
The Mariners are coming into this game after allowing zero walks during their last outing. The Twins have a 0-2 record when opponents give up that many walks.
When they are outhit, the Twins are 2-9. The Mariners have a 3-6 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 29th in home runs, Minnesota has hit eight this season. Seattle ranks fourth with 21 home runs.
Seattle and Minnesota both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Seattle sits at sixth with 8.33 hits per game and Minnesota ranks 10th with 7.53.
Ranking 29th, Minnesota is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.589). Seattle ranks in the top half at 13th with an OPS of .700.
When the Twins allow at least one home run, they are 3-8, well-matched with the Mariners who are 3-7 when allowing at least one homer.
