Seattle Mariners Gameday Preview Versus the Angels

Initial Thoughts:

What did I say about Felix being Felix? Last night he absolutely DOMINATED, going 8.2 innings while allowing only one earned run in the 9th inning. He brought the M’s back to .500 once again, while notching his 7th win of the season.

Today’s game won’t be nearly the sort of pitcher’s duel that took place last night, but it still stands as another opportunity for the M’s to gain ground in the AL West.

Game Details:

Seattle Mariners 26-26. Last 10: (6-4)

L.A. Angels 29-23. Last 10: (6-4).

Game time: 7:10 PM Pacific. Location: Seattle, Washington. Safeco Field.

MATCHUPS:

Pitching:

Seattle Mariners RHP Brandon Maurer (1-3, 6.99 ERA) v. L.A. Angels RHP Matt Shoemaker (2-1, 3.18 ERA).

EDGE: Shoemaker. Maurer’s ERA continues to climb, as he now approaches 7 with each start getting less and less productive. Shoemaker was just recalled from Triple-A, and has a 2.81 ERA in 3 starts for the Angels this season. In all sincerity, I would give Joe Saunders the edge over Maurer right now, he has pitched that poorly so far this season.

Projected Lineups:

James Jones 8

Michael Saunders 9

Robinson Cano 4

Justin Smoak 3

Kyle Seager 5

Mike Zunino DH

Dustin Ackley 7

John Buck 2

Brad Miller 6

Of Note: After a few quieter games, Jones’ batting average has dropped down to .266, though he remains productive at the top of the Mariners order. Zunino was Felix’s run support too, driving in 3 runs, including a solo shot for his 7th homer of the season.

Angels:

Howie Kendrick 4

Mike Trout 8

Albert Pujols 3

David Freese 5

Raul Ibanez DH

Kole Calhoun 9

Hank Conger 2

Erick Aybar 6

Collin Cowgill 7

Of Note: the entire Angels lineup was stifled by Felix’s dominance in last night’s game, being held to only 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 9 times over the course of 9 innings. Trout did manage one of those hits and one of those walks, as he seems to slowly be crawling out of the most extended slump of his major league career.

Other Notes:

The first All-Star ballot numbers came out this week, and Robinson Cano is 2nd among American League second basemen, and deservedly so. Though he hasn’t flashed 20 home run power, he has more than anchored a Mariners lineup that has been changing constantly throughout the season with injuries and inconsistent play.

Final Thoughts:

Though I would love for the Mariners to win this game and continue the teetering back and forth at the .500 mark, I just don’t think the offense will be able to adequately compensate for the struggle that is Brandon Maurer. Don’t get me wrong, I like him, and when he is on he has good stuff. But he just hasn’t been able to string together enough solid innings in a row to constitute a solid and productive major league start.

If there weren’t so many injuries on the Mariners pitching front, Maurer would be down in Triple-A Tacoma now.

Score Prediction:

Mariners 4, Angels 7.