Mariners Game Notes: J.A. Happ Hopes to Lead M’s Past Former Team
The Seattle Mariners (45-52) will attempt to secure their first 3-game winning streak since late June this afternoon against the Toronto Blue Jays (49-49). First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 pm from the corner of Edgar & Dave. J.A. Happ (4-5, 4.12 ERA) will be on the bump for Seattle against his former club. Drew Hutchison (9-2, 5.19 ERA) will try and work through a nasty stomach bug when he toes the rubber for Toronto. Root Sports will carry the game live locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices.
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Seattle enters play having won 2 in a row, and 3 of their last 4. This recent hot streak has allowed the Mariners to gain some valuable ground in the American League West standings. The M’s currently sit 9.5 games in the AL West, and 7.5 games out in the wildcard.
Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon and Blue Jays boss John Gibbons have released the following lineups for today’s tilt:
Jul 8, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) singles against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Pick to Click
The Mariners offense has really come around over the last week, and everyone in the lineup is seemingly contributing. However, it is hard to overlook the performance of Robinson Cano. Robby is riding a 5-game hitting streak, and has posted a .349 batting average with 5 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs and 14 RBI’s so far in the month of July. The 32-year-old is on fire, and I am going with him as my pick to click today. Cano is 2 for 4 with a double, 1 home run and 2 RBI’s during his career against Drew Hutchison. I expect the Mariners’ second baseman to tally at least 2 hits and 2 RBI’s this afternoon.
Final Score Prediction
Seattle played one of their best games of the 2015 season on Friday night against the Blue Jays, and hopefully they can ride that momentum to another W Saturday afternoon. J.A. Happ will undoubtably be motivated to pitch well against the team that deemed him expendable this past offseason. Happ has struggled as of late, posting a 5.54 ERA since June 11th. However, he has pitched much better at Safeco Field, registering a 2.66 ERA through 8 starts in Seattle this season. I have a great feeling the Mariners are going to sweep the Blue Jays this weekend, and thus I predict another big win today. Look for the M’s bats to delight fans en route to a 5-3 victory.
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