The Seattle Mariners (23-24) host the Oakland Athletics (10-39) at T-Mobile Park on Tuesday. The Mariners took Monday’s series opener 11-2, their fourth straight head-to-head victory, including all four games this season.
Luis Castillo threw six scoreless innings – striking out eight – for the win. Jarred Kelenic went 3 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and three RBIs in the win. Julio Rodriguez also went 3 for 4 with two doubles, three runs, and one RBI. Seth Brown was 2 for 4 with one RBI for the Athletics.
ON THE MOUND
Luis Medina (0-2, 6.88 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Oakland. The right-hander allowed three runs over six innings in his last start, a 5-3 road defeat against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.
He gave up three hits while striking out six and walking two in the no-decision. For Seattle, LHP Marco Gonzales (3-1, 6.10 ERA) gets the ball.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the Athletics. Gonzales made four appearances against the Athletics in 2022, all starts, striking out eight and walking four over 23.2 innings (3-1, 3.80).
In his last start on Wednesday, Gonzales took the loss on the road against the Red Sox. He threw 1.2 innings and gave up eight runs on eight hits, striking out one and walking two in the 12-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Oakland has averaged only 1.6 runs a game, down from their season average of 3.6, while slashing worse across the board (.186/.257/.237). Against left-handed pitchers like Gonzales this season, the A’s have a .743 OPS.
Brent Rooker is the team’s best hitter against left-handers with a 1.108 OPS in 44 at-bats. Seattle is averaging 5.0 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.5 for the season.
The M’s have a .696 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .849 OPS over 122 at-bats, Kelenic has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Oakland is on an eight-game losing streak away from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, bringing their record to 5-19 in 2023. The A’s have scored 4.0 runs per game away from home, while allowing 7.8 runs.
Seattle has gone 11-12 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 3.7. In the last 10 games at T-Mobile Park between the AL West rivals, Seattle is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.1-3.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 20 games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Mariners are fourth in the AL West, six games behind the Rangers.
