Free MLB Picks Today: Cleveland Guardians vs Seattle Mariners 9/2/22

The Seattle Mariners (73-58) are on the road to face the Cleveland Guardians (68-61) at Progressive Field on Friday for the first of a three-game series. The Mariners are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Tigers, taking the finale 7-0 on Thursday at Comerica Park for their fourth straight win. Ty France was 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs. Julio Rodriguez added a home run and two runs. The Guardians are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They lost two of three against the Orioles in their last series, dropping the finale 3-0 on Thursday at Progressive Field. Jose Ramirez went 1 for 3.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Mariners have won three of four in the season series between the teams, including a 4-0 victory in their most recent meeting on Sunday at T-Mobile Park. Starter Robbie Ray threw seven scoreless innings- striking out seven – for the win.

ON THE MOUND

Luis Castillo (5-5, 2.93 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Seattle. The righty is facing the Guardians in back-to-back starts. He allowed one run over six innings on Saturday, a 4-3 road defeat. He gave up four hits while striking out 10 and walking one in the no-decision. Right-hander Zach Plesac (3-11, 4.43 ERA) will toe the rubber for Cleveland. His only prior start against the Mariners this season was his last outing, when Plesac gave up three runs over seven innings in a 4-3 road win on Saturday. He gave up three hits while striking out six in the win.

AT THE PLATE

The Seattle offense is averaging 4.2 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .231/.313/.387. Rodriguez leads the team in OPS at .804. The center fielder is slashing .266/.328/.476 with 22 home runs, 66 RBIs, and 69 runs over 114 games. Over the last five games, however, Seattle has averaged 5.6 runs a game due in part to increased slugging (.473). Against righties like Plesac this season, the M’s have a .693 OPS. France is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with ann .802 OPS in 314 at-bats. Cleveland is slashing .249/.310/.380 for the season and averaging 4.2 runs per game. Ramirez leads the team with a .900 OPS. The third baseman has 26 home runs, 106 RBIs, and 72 runs scored with a slash line of .285/.354/.546. Cleveland is averaging only 1.8 runs per game in the last five with their slash line dropping across the board (.173/.228/.237). The Guardians have a .710 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .940 OPS over 358 at-bats, Ramirez also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Seattle is on a three-game winning streak in road games, bringing their record to 38-30 in 2022. The M’s have scored 4.5 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.0 runs. Cleveland has gone 33-27 at Progressive Field this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. In the last 10 games between the teams at Progressive Field, each club has won five, though Seattle has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.7-3.9.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Mariners are second in the AL West, 11 games behind the division-leading Astros. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting second. The Guardians lead the AL Central by one games over the Twins.