Seattle Mariners Gameday Preview at the Angels

The Mariners seem to be freefalling at the absolute worst time of the season. With this being their last roadtrip before a final set of games at Safeco Field, each game has exceedingly greater magnitude.

Maybe since the Angels secured a playoff spot last night they’ll take their foot off the pedal. Nah, I didn’t think so. But hopefully the M’s can do something tonight they haven’t been doing recently: win and hit.

Game Details:

Seattle Mariners: 80-69. Last 10: 4-6. (3-game losing streak).

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: 94-56. Last 10: 9-1.

Game Time: 7:05 PM Pacific. Location: Anaheim, California. Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

MATCHUPS:

Pitching:

Seattle Mariners LHP Roenis Elias (10-12, 3.81 ERA) v. LA Angels RHP Cory Rasmus (3-1, 2.80 ERA)

Edge? Rasmus. Though he has only started 3 of the 27 games he’s pitched, his ERA is sub-3.00 and he’s pitching for an Angels team that is hotter than can be right now. Elias continues to be an up and down rookie, with his innings and pitch count further limited because the Mariners do not want to overstress his arm in his first season. If he has command of his fastball, he could compete with the Angels, in theory.

Lineups:

Mariners:

Austin Jackson 8

Dustin Ackley 7

Robinson Cano 4

Kyle Seager 5

Kendrys Morales DH

Logan Morrison 3

Endy Chavez 9

Mike Zunino 2

Chris Taylor 6

Of Note: for lack of a better expression the Mariners were embarrassed last night. Hisashi Iwakuma, someone considered to be a solid number 2 starter, got shelled for 7 earned runs in a game that had major implications on the playoff race. The M’s had 6 hits, and didn’t seem to have that fire that’s been looming throughout the locker room in recent weeks. The offense looks altogether dead at times, something that does not bode well for any sort of playoff atmosphere.

Angels:

Kole Calhoun 9

Mike Trout 8

Albert Pujols 3

Howie Kendrick 4

David Freese 5

Josh Hamilton DH

Erick Aybar 6

Chris Iannetta 2

Collin Cowgill 7

Of Note: the Angels were efficient and devastating to Mariners pitching last night. They scored 8 runs on just 9 hits, while also walking 5 times compared to just 6 strikeouts. This offense looks menacing and imposing as the Angels march to the post-season, the first team to have punched their ticket.

Final Thoughts:

The Mariners need this game more than the Angels do, seeing how the Angels are already in the playoffs. If Elias wants to prove he should stay in Seattle next season, he needs to step it up tonight. And that goes for many of the Mariners hitters, especially as some of the most professional in the bunch continue to waste away offensive opportunities.

Score Prediction:

Mariners 5, Angels 4.