Seattle Mariners Gameday Preview vs. Oakland Athletics

Now that’s more like it. After dropping two of three to the pathetic Houston Astros, the Seattle Mariners needed to start off this critical three-game set with Oakland on the right foot.

Robinson Cano thought that too, hitting a solo homer in the first inning to set the tone as the M’s won 4-2 and moved into a tie for the 2nd AL wild-card spot.

With a win today, the M’s could move into the 1st wild-card spot, either tied with Kansas City – should they win – or by themselves with the A’s looking up at them.

Good thing for Seattle, King Felix Hernandez is on the mound as “Night Court” is in session tonight. Here’s the gameday preview.

Gameday Preview Details:

Seattle Mariners: 80-66. Last 10: 7-3.

Oakland Athletics: 81-66. Last 10: 2-8.

Game time: 6:10 PM Pacific time. Location: Seattle, Washington. Safeco Field.

MATCHUPS:

Pitching:

Seattle Mariners RHP Felix Hernandez (14-5, 2.12 ERA) vs. Sonny Gray (13-8, 3.22)

Edge? Felix.

Felix is 4-0 this season against the Athletics in five starts and has allowed only nine earned runs in those starts. In his two starts against Oakland at Safeco this season, he is 2-0 with 20 K’s and has allowed two earned runs in each start.

Sonny Gray is 3-1 this season in four starts against the Mariners. His most recent start is the one M’s fans are hoping he will repeat. The M’s tagged Gray for six runs in 5 IP back in Oakland earlier this month. Before that, Gray had only allowed two earned runs in the other three starts with 17 K’s. This could be a low scoring game on both sides.

Lineups:

Mariners:

Austin Jackson 8

Endy Chavez 7

Robinson Cano 4

Kendrys Morales DH

Kyle Seager 5

Logan Morrison 3

Mike Zunino 2

James Jones 9

Chris Taylor 6

Of Note: The M’s give Miller the night off in favor of Taylor. Dustin Ackley gets a night off as well, sitting with a sore ankle. He is listed as day-to-day.

Athletics:

Coco Crisp 8

Sam Fuld 7

Josh Donaldson 5

Adam Dunn DH

Brandon Moss 3

Jed Lowrie 6

Josh Reddick 9

Derek Norris 2

Eric Sogard 4

Of Note: The Athletics are trending in the wrong direction having lost 8 of their last 10. They have to hope for an off day by Felix if they hope to stay in this game tonight.