The Seattle Mariners (27-25) host the Pittsburgh Pirates (26-25) at T-Mobile Park on Sunday with the three-game Interleague series in the balance.
The Mariners evened up the series 1-1 after winning 5-0 on Saturday. Luis Castillo threw six scoreless innings – striking out 10 – for the win. Ty France went 2 for 3 with two doubles, one run, and one RBI in the win over the Pirates.
ON THE MOUND
Luis Ortiz (1-2, 4.02 ERA) is set to start for Pittsburgh. The RHP allowed two runs over 7.2 innings in his last start, a 6-4 home win over the Rangers on Monday. He was credited with the win, giving up five hits while striking out four and walking two.
For Seattle, left-hander Marco Gonzales (4-1, 5.68 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Pirates. In his last start on Tuesday, Gonzales got the win at home against the Athletics. He threw six innings and gave up two runs on five hits, striking out four and walking one in the 3-2 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Pittsburgh has averaged 4.0 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.4. Against left-handed pitchers like Gonzales this season, the Bucs have a .773 OPS.
Connor Joe is the team’s strongest performer against left-handers with a 1.149 OPS in 47 at-bats. Seattle is averaging only 4.6 runs per game in the last five, consistent with their season average. The M’s have a .700 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .849 OPS over 106 at-bats, J.P. Crawford has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Pittsburgh is 14-12 in away games in 2023, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 3.5 runs. Seattle has gone 15-13 at T-Mobile Park this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 3.6. Pittsburgh is 5-4 in nine meetings at T-Mobile Park with an average scoreline of 4.3-4.0.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Pirates are second in the NL Central, zero games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Mariners are fourth in the AL West, six games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Seattle Mariners (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
