Free MLB Picks Today: Cleveland Guardians vs Seattle Mariners 9/3/22

The Cleveland Guardians (68-62) host the Seattle Mariners (74-58) at Progressive Field on Saturday. The Mariners took Friday’s series opener 6-1, their fifth straight victory overall and fourth in five games against the Guardians this season. Starter Luis Castillo threw six scoreless innings to get the win. Cal Raleigh was 2 for 4 with two home runs and four RBIs in the win. Richie Palacios went 1 for 4 with a double and one run for the Guardians.

ON THE MOUND

Robbie Ray (11-8, 3.58 ERA) is slated to start for Seattle. The southpaw ranks fourth in the AL in strikeouts (180). Ray matches up against the Guardians for the second straight start. On Sunday, he threw seven scoreless innings, a 4-0 home win. He earned the win, yielding three hits while striking out seven.LHP Xzavion Curry (0-0, 5.40 ERA) will toe the rubber for Cleveland. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Mariners. In his last start on August 15, Curry took a no-decision at home against the Tigers. He threw five innings and gave up three runs on eight hits, striking out three and walking one in the 7-5 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Seattle has averaged 6.2 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.2, thanks in part to improved slugging (.483 vs .387). Against southpaws like Curry this season, the M’s have a .718 OPS. Eugenio Suarez is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a .865 OPS in 115 at-bats. Cleveland is averaging only 1.2 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.2 for the season, with their slash line dropping across the board (.191/.240/.236). The Guardians have a .630 OPS against lefties in 2022, second lowest in MLB. With ann .828 OPS over 113 at-bats, Amed Rosario has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Seattle is on a four-game winning streak on the road, bringing their record to 39-30 in 2022. The M’s have scored 4.6 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.9 runs. Cleveland has lost three in a row in front of their home fans. The Guardians are 33-28 at home this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. In the last 10 meetings at Progressive Field, each club has won five, though Seattle has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.8-3.6.

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.