Luis Castillo, one of the early season’s stingiest pitchers, leads the way for the Seattle Mariners (9-11) as they match up against the St. Louis Cardinals (8-12) at T-Mobile Park on Saturday. The Mariners took Friday’s series opener 5-2.
Starter George Kirby went six innings, allowing two runs on three hits, to get the win, and Paul Sewald picked up his fifth save with a scoreless ninth.
Teoscar Hernandez went 2 for 3 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored three runs. Jordan Walker was 1 for 3 with a double and two RBIs for the Cardinals.
ON THE MOUND
Miles Mikolas (0-1, 10.05 ERA) is in line for the start for St. Louis. The righty allowed three runs (two earned) over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 5-4 home win over the Pirates on Sunday. He scattered seven hits while striking out four and walking two in the no-decision. Righty Castillo (2-0, 1.02 ERA) will toe the rubber for Seattle.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the Cardinals. Castillo made one start against the Cardinals in 2022, throwing six innings for the Reds in a 2-0 road defeat on June 10.
He gave up six hits and walked one, while striking out three in the loss.In his last start on Sunday, Castillo got the win at home against the Rockies. He threw seven scoreless innings and gave up two hits, striking out nine, in the 1-0 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, St. Louis has averaged 6.2 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.7, partially thanks to greater slugging (.459 vs .428). Against right-handed pitchers like Castillo this season, the Cards have a .735 OPS.
Paul Goldschmidt has the team’s best on-base percentage against right-handers at .420 over 56 at-bats. Seattle is averaging only 3.4 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.5 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.194/.277/.310). The M’s have a .698 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .926 OPS over 48 at-bats, Jarred Kelenic has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
St. Louis is 3-4 away from Busch Stadium in 2023, scoring 4.1 runs per game while allowing 4.6 runs. Seattle has gone 6-8 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. In the last 10 games between the teams at T-Mobile Park, Seattle is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 5.0-4.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Cardinals are fourth in the NL Central, six games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Mariners are fourth in the AL West, three games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Seattle Mariners (-160)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
