The Seattle Mariners (-105) host the Oakland Athletics (-115) at T-Mobile Park on Saturday. Expect a low-scoring affair with the early total at 6.5 runs (O: -115 | U: -105). The Mariners (86-70) took Friday’s series opener 2-1, their 10th head-to-head victory in 17 games this season. Matt Brash threw one scoreless inning of relief to get the win. Cal Raleigh went 1 for 1 with a solo home run in the win. Shea Langeliers was 1 for 3 with a solo home run for the Athletics (56-101).
ON THE MOUND
JP Sears (6-3, 4.22 ERA) is set for the start for Oakland. The lefty allowed six runs over 3.2 innings in his last start, a 13-4 road defeat against the Mets on Sunday. He was charged with the loss, scattering eight hits while striking out two and walking two. Over two previous starts against the Mariners this season, Sears has allowed only one earned runs over 10 innings (2-0, 0.90). He has struck out 10 and walked four. Righty Luis Castillo (7-6, 3.06 ERA) will toe the rubber for Seattle. He has made two appearances against the Athletics this season, both starts, giving up eight runs over 9.2 innings (0-2, 7.45) with nine strikeouts and three walks. In his last start on Sunday, Castillo took a no-decision on the road against the Royals. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up five runs on seven hits, striking out five and walking three in the 13-12 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Oakland has averaged only 2.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 3.5, while performing worse across the board (.178/.228/.274). Against right-handed pitchers like Castillo this season, the A’s have a .625 OPS, second lowest in MLB. Seth Brown is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .794 OPS in 396 at-bats. Seattle is averaging 5.4 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.2 for the season, with a higher on-base percentage (.353 vs .314). The M’s have a .705 OPS against left-handers in 2022. With a .938 OPS over 126 at-bats, Eugenio Suarez has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Oakland is on a five-game losing streak away from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, bringing their record to 30-49 in 2022. The A’s have scored 3.9 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.6 runs. Seattle has won three in a row at T-Mobile Park. The M’s are 42-33 at home this season, averaging 3.8 runs per game while surrendering 3.6. In the last 10 games at T-Mobile Park between the AL West rivals, Seattle is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 3.7-3.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 46 games behind the division-leading Astros. The Mariners are second in the AL West, 15 games behind the Astros. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting second with a magic number of six.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Seattle Mariners (-275)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
