The Detroit Tigers (17-19), one of the lowest-scoring lineups in MLB, are set to host the Seattle Mariners (18-19) at Comerica Park on Friday for the first of a three-game series. The Mariners are kicking off a nine-game road trip after wrapping up a six-game homestand (3-3).
They won only one out of three in their last series against the Rangers, dropping the finale 4-3 on Wednesday at T-Mobile Park. Jarred Kelenic was 2 for 4 with a triple and one RBI. Jose Caballero added one run.The Tigers just wrapped up a productive six-game road trip (4-2).
They won two of three against the Guardians in their last series, taking the finale 5-0 on Wednesday at Progressive Field. Javier Baez went 2 for 3 with a double and two runs.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Mariners won six of the seven games between the teams, including three out of four in their most recent meeting at T-Mobile Park in October.
ON THE MOUND
Marco Gonzales (2-0, 4.70 ERA) is in line to get the start for Seattle. The LHP allowed three runs over six innings in his last start, a 7-5 road win over the Astros on Saturday. He gave up six hits while striking out four and walking three in the no-decision.
Over two starts against the Tigers in 2022, Gonzales was 1-0 with a 4.15 ERA over 13 innings. He had six strikeouts and three walks.LHP Matthew Boyd (2-2, 5.28 ERA) will toe the rubber for Detroit.
In his last start on May 5, Boyd got the win on the road against the Cardinals. He threw six innings and gave up three runs on five hits, striking out six, in the 5-4 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The Seattle offense is averaging 4.2 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .223/.302/.372. Kelenic leads the team in OPS at .911. The center fielder is slashing .294/.348/.563 with seven home runs, 17 RBIs, and 15 runs over 35 games.
Against lefties like Boyd this season, the M’s have a .614 OPS, second lowest in the league. Kelenic also is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a 1.042 OPS in 30 at-bats. Detroit is slashing .233/.297/.360 for the season and averaging 3.7 runs per game, third lowest in the league.
Riley Greene leads the team with a .696 OPS. The center fielder has three home runs, 15 RBIs, and 18 runs scored with a slash line of .262/.320/.376. The Tigers have a .730 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a .996 OPS over 28 at-bats, Baez has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Seattle is on a four-game winning streak in road games, bringing their record to 8-7 in 2023. The M’s have scored 4.4 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.9 runs.
Detroit has won three in a row at home. The Tigers are 8-7 at home this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.6. In the last 10 games at Comerica Park between the teams, Seattle is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 6.0-4.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Mariners are fourth in the AL West, four games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Tigers are second in the AL Central, two games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Seattle Mariners (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
