Hisashi Iwakuma (5-2, 3.74 ERA) and Felix Doubront (1-1, 3.89 ERA) start in the first of a three-game series between the Seattle Mariners (57-67) and the Oakland Athletics (54-71) at Safeco Field. Action begins at 10:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 24 and can be seen on CSCA and RTNW.
Iwakuma pitched 7.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering two runs, striking out six and walking one in a 3-2 win over the Rangers. Nelson Cruz (.320, 71 Rs, 37 HRs, 78 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run and two RBIs. Doubront went 6.0 innings, surrendering zero runs (one unearned), striking out eight and walking six in a 5-4 defeat to the Dodgers in his most recent start. Stephen Vogt (.260, 47 Rs, 16 HRs, 63 RBIs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 4 yesterday.
Seattle is a -155 favorite against Oakland and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Mariners have an overall money line of -1,843 and a record as the favorite of 32-40. Within its division, Seattle has a 14-14 record as favorite and a 24-24 record SU. Seattle’s pitching staff has been doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 8.0 runs per game, well above its season average of 4.5.
In the other locker room, Oakland is coming in with an overall money line of -2,584 and a disappointing record of 22-37 as the underdog. They played poorly as the underdog over their last 10 games with a 2-6 record, and a 2-8 record SU. Offensively, the Athletics have really picked up the pace in division games. They have exceeded their season average of 4.0 runs per game by averaging 4.5 in those contests. Oakland is excellent at drawing walks with 2.9 per road game, ranking fifth in the AL. Oakland’s pitching staff is one of the top in the AL, with a 3.62 ERA. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Athletics are third in the AL with an average of 8.1 hits allowed per game. The Athletics have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 7.6 strikeouts per road game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Mariners have controlled the season series, 7-3. The Mariners have a 14-22 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Doubront takes the mound. Iwakuma (RHP) will be on the hill against the Athletics, who have a 42-46 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Sea, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Oakland is 22-31, while Seattle is 19-27.
The Athletics managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Mariners who are heading in with a 24-19 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Mariners are 36-18. The Athletics have a 42-18 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 25th in runs, Seattle has earned 474 this season. Oakland ranks 16th with 506 runs.
Seattle and Oakland both rank in the top half of the league in walks. Seattle sits at 12th with 356 this season and Oakland ranks 13th with 353.
When the Mariners hit at least one home run, they are 48-37, well-matched with the Athletics who are 33-31 when hitting one or more homers.
