Free MLB Picks Today: Seattle Mariners vs Oakland Athletics 5/22/23

Free MLB Picks Today: Seattle Mariners vs Oakland Athletics 5/22/23
Mon 22nd May 2023

The Oakland Athletics (10-38) take one of the lowest-scoring offenses in the league on the road to face the Seattle Mariners (22-24) at T-Mobile Park on Monday to open a four-game series.

The Athletics are in the midst of a seven-game road trip. They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Astros, dropping the finale 2-0 on Sunday at Minute Maid Park for their fourth straight loss. Esteury Ruiz was 1 for 3 with a double.

The Mariners are back home for a 10-game homestand after finishing up a nine-game road trip (4-5). They lost two of three against the Braves in their last series, dropping the finale 3-2 on Sunday at Truist Park. Jose Caballero went 1 for 1 with a solo home run.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Mariners have won all three games this season between the AL West rivals, including a 5-3 victory in their most recent meeting on May 4 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. George Kirby got the win, allowing three runs on seven hits over seven innings, and Paul Sewald earned his ninth save with a scoreless ninth.

ON THE MOUND

Kyle Muller (1-3, 7.34 ERA) is slated for the start for Oakland. The lefty allowed five runs over four innings in his last start, a 9-8 road win over the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. He yielded eight hits while striking out three in the no-decision.

For Seattle, right-hander Luis Castillo (2-2, 2.70 ERA) is on the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Athletics. Castillo made three appearances against the Athletics in 2022, all starts, striking out 17 and walking four over 15.2 innings (1-2, 5.17).

In his last start on Tuesday, Castillo took the loss on the road against the Red Sox. He threw five innings and gave up seven runs (5 ER) on six hits, striking out six and walking two in the 9-4 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Oakland offense is averaging 3.7 runs per game for the season, fourth lowest in MLB, with a slash line of .229/.310/.378. Brent Rooker leads the team in OPS at .984. The left fielder is slashing .292/.400/.584 with 11 home runs, 31 RBIs, and 21 runs over 41 games.

Against right-handed pitchers like Castillo this season, the A’s have a .654 OPS, fourth lowest in MLB. Rooker also is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .889 OPS in 97 at-bats. Seattle is slashing .229/.308/.376 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game.

Jarred Kelenic leads the team with an .868 OPS. The center fielder has nine home runs, 22 RBIs, and 23 runs scored with a slash line of .287/.339/.529. The M’s have a .660 OPS against lefties in 2023, fourth lowest in the league. With a .929 OPS over 38 at-bats, Kelenic also has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Oakland is on a seven-game losing streak away from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, bringing their record to 5-18 in 2023. The A’s have scored 4.1 runs per game away from home, while allowing 7.7 runs.

Seattle has gone 10-12 at home this season, averaging 4.1 runs per game while surrendering 3.8. In the last 10 meetings at T-Mobile Park, Seattle is 6-4 despite an average scoreline favoring Oakland (4.0-3.7).

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 19 games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Mariners are fourth in the AL West, six games behind the Rangers.

SportsTips’ MLB Pick:

Seattle Mariners (-300)

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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

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