Tampa Bay Rays at Seattle Mariners Betting Preview
Saturday night will feature an American League showdown as the Tampa Bay Rays (43-28) take on the Seattle Mariners (36-36). The Mariners will host this one at T-Mobile Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 10:10 pm ET.
The Mariners have now taken the first two games of this four-game series as they picked up another win Friday, 5-1. In the win, the Mariners had 13 hits and five runs in support of Yusei Kikuchi, who went seven innings of one-run ball.
In the loss, Michael Wacha was roughed up as he replaced the injured Tyler Glasnow. He went just 3.2 innings and allowed 11 hits, five runs, and struck out just two.
Offensively, they managed just five hits, with Yandy Diaz hitting in Manuel Margot for their lone run.
Despite losing the opener, the Rays are the favorites in this one playing on the road. They are -146 to win while the Mariners’ moneyline sits at +124. The runline features Seattle +1.5 (-142), and the over/under for total runs is eight.
Pitching Matchup
The Rays will send Josh Fleming (6-4, 3.20 ERA) to the mound Saturday. Fleming has been used both as a starter and a reliever this season. Lately, he has often been used after an opener as he was in his last start when he went four scoreless innings against the Orioles.
The Mariners will counter with righty Logan Gilbert (2-2, 4.13 ERA). In Gilbert’s last start, a 6-2 win over Cleveland, he went 6.2 innings, allowing four hits and just a single run while striking out six.
By The Numbers
Offensively, Tampa Bay has been the much better team this season. They currently rank seventh in scoring averaging 4.93 runs per game. The Mariners fall to 22nd averaging 3.99 runs.
Defensively, it is once again the Rays that hold the edge. They rank fifth in scoring defense as they are allowing opponents an average of 3.76 runs. The Mariners rank 19th allowing an average of 4.76 runs per game.
Rays Look To Get Back On Track
With the loss Friday night, the Rays have now dropped four games in a row. While they still sit first in the A.L. East, they have seen their lead shrink to just a half-game over the Red Sox and six games over the Yankees.
They will look to Josh Fleming to try to stop the bleeding on Saturday. Offensively, it is Austin Meadows who has been leading the way. In 248 at-bats, he is hitting .234/.331/.496 with a team-leading 15 home runs and 50 runs batted in. He also is second in runs scored with 42.
Over the last week, it has been outfielder Randy Arozarena that has been hot for the Rays. In that span, he is hitting .320/.320/.760 with three home runs and seven runs batted in.
Mariners Trying To Improve On Solid Home Record
At 36-36, the Mariners find themselves 8.5 games back in the A.L. West. Despite their poor division standing, they have played rather well at home as they are 21-15 to date. They will look to continue to use this home-field advantage to secure a series win on Saturday.
Mitch Haniger has been the Mariners’ best hitter to date. In 263 at-bats, he is hitting .259/.308/.506 with a team-leading 16 home runs and 45 runs scored. He has also driven in 40 runs to this point.
Kyle Seager has also hit well in the power department. Even though he is hitting just .216/.279/.424, he has 13 home runs and leads the team in runs batted in with 42.
Taking Rays To Win
While the Mariners are a respectable ball club, the Rays have been far superior than they have shown over the last several days.
Josh Fleming may not go deep in the game, but he is usually good to give the Rays solid innings before handing it over to the bullpen.
Expect the Rays to pick up their first win of the series and to snap their four-game losing streak. Take Tampa Bay at -146.
