Seattle Mariners Gameday Preview versus the Athletics

Apr 6, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher

(53) pitches during the fifth inning against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Initial Thoughts:

With another low-scoring affair with quiet Mariner bats, the M’s look to even the four game series today against the Oakland Athletics. In this, the tenth game of the season, the Mariners need a victory to reclaim the top spot in the division from the Athletics.

Game Details:

Seattle Mariners (6-4) — Previous 10: (6-4)

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (7-4) — Previous 10: (7-3)

Time of game: 1:10 PM Pacific. Location: Seattle, Washington.

MATCHUPS:

Pitching:

Mariners: Chris Young RHP (0-0, -.– ERA) vs. Scott Kazmir LHP (2-0, 2.03 ERA).

EDGE: Kazmir. Chris Young still hasn’t pitched since 2012, and Scott Kazmir has had a great start to the season. Also, as a lefty against the lefty-heavy lineup, Kazmir could have a day against a Mariners lineup that has been going intermittently hot and cold the last few games.

Probable Lineups:

Mariners:

Abraham Almonte 8

Brad Miller 6

Robinson Cano 4

Justin Smoak 3

Kyle Seager 5

Corey Hart DH

Stefen Romero 9

Dustin Ackley 7

John Buck 2

Of note: The Mariners offense had another quiet evening last night, managing just 1 run on 7 hits. With Chris Young pitching for the first time in a long time, they’ll need some smart offensive playmaking to get the win.

Athletics:

Coco Crisp 8

Jed Lowrie 6

Josh Donaldson 5

Brandon Moss 3

Yoenis Cespedes 7

Alberto Callaspo DH

John Jaso 2

Josh Reddick 9

Eric Sogard 4

Of note: Secret agent John Jaso had two hits against the M’s last night, and should be in the lineup again to attack the righty Young.

Keys to Mariner Victory:

1) Who is Chris Young? Nobody has seen him start a Major League game in quite a while. If he can pitch like he did in his prime, the M’s may just have a shot.

2) Wake up the bats! The M’s have been going hot and cold and hot and cold again over the last few games. To win consistently, they’ll have to rise up after slow offensive games and give the team a chance to win.

Other Notes:

Tonight a couple of your very own Sodo Mojo contributors will be Seattle Mariners podcasts.

Editor, and Admiral, Dan Hughes will be on Sea Talk Intentional with Mike McDonnell at 7 PM Pacific.

Staff writer J.J. Keller will be on the Ranger Report with Ben Dieter (this is a podcast done by the Fansided site Nolan Writin’

Final Thoughts:

A win today would say a lot about the Mariners. Especially since this will already be the 7th game against the Oakland Athletics. With only 12 more to go after this, every win counts. Though, unfortunately, it appears the Athletics have the upper hand in today’s Sunday afternoon game. 

Score Prediction:

Mariners 2, Athletics 3.