Felix Hernandez (14-8, 3.74 ERA) and the Seattle Mariners (58-68) meet Chris Bassitt (1-5, 2.48 ERA) and the Oakland Athletics (55-72) in the last of a three-game division series at Safeco Field. The Mariners won the last game 6-5 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game gets underway at 3:40 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 26 and will air on RTNW.
In his most recent outing, Hernandez pitched 6.0 innings, allowing four runs, striking out four and walking one in an 11-4 loss to the White Sox. Mark Trumbo (.252, 46 Rs, 17 HRs, 47 RBIs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run, one home run, and one RBI. The Athletics were unsuccessful to the Rays 2-1 the last time Bassitt pitched. He went 6.2 innings, allowing one run, striking out three and walking two. Ben Zobrist (.286, 56 Rs, 10 HRs, 46 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one run.
Seattle is a -166 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is six runs. When playing as the favorite, the Mariners have a 33-41 record and overall money line at -1,901. They have a 24-25 record SU and are 14-15 as favorite within their division. Seattle has averaged 4.9 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 3.8. Seattle’s pitching staff has fallen apart in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game rose to 9.2 during that span, compared to its 4.6 season average.
On the other side, the Athletics have a subpar record of 24-37 when they are the underdog and are -2,327 overall with the money line. Against divisional rivals, they are 25-25 SU and 10-10 as the underdog. Oakland has stepped up their play against division opponents. They have averaged 4.7 runs per game, more than their season average of 4.1. Oakland has an eye for the strike zone on the road, ranking 2.9 in the AL with fifth walks per game. The Athletics are a problem for opposing batters, sporting a 3.62 ERA this season. They also average just 8.1 hits allowed per game, fourth-best in the AL. The Oakland pitching staff has been an intimidating group on the road this year, averaging 7.6 strikeouts per game.
The Mariners have gotten the best of the Athletics in head-to-head matchups this season, going 8-4. The Mariners will take on a right-hander (Bassitt) in this game and have a 42-45 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Athletics will be the right-hander Hernandez. They sport a 44-46 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – Sea, O/U – Over
Notes
The Athletics lost their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Mariners are 25-21. The Athletics are 14-30 in close games this season.
The Mariners managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Athletics who are coming in with a 6-3 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Athletics are 7-46. The Mariners have a 16-44 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 26th in home runs, Oakland has hit 101 this season. Seattle ranks sixth with 148 home runs.
Ranking 12th, Seattle is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.33 per game. Oakland ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 8.66.
Ranking 22nd, Oakland is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.702). Seattle ranks in the bottom half at 19th with an OPS of .710.
When the Athletics allow at least one home run, they are 20-53, well-matched with the Mariners who are 29-56 when allowing at least one homer.
