Seattle Mariners Gameday Preview versus the Twins

Today is the final game of a 4-game series with the Minnesota Twins. The Mariners have been on a run of very poor offensive production: with 47 hits and just 7 runs in their last 6 games.

They need to salvage a split in the series today, to go in guns blazing against the AL West and AL-leading Oakland Athletics.

Game Details:

Seattle Mariners: 49-42. Last 10: 6-4.

Minnesota Twins: 41-49. Last 10: 4-6.

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

MATCHUPS:

Pitching:

Seattle Mariners RHP Tom Wilhelmsen (1-1, 2.49 ERA) v. Minnesota Twins RHP Yohan Pino (0-2, 4.98 ERA)

EDGE: the Mariners bullpen. Wilhelmsen has never started a game at the Major League level. He is spot starting for Felix Hernandez, whose start was moved back a day so that he could face the Oakland Athletics in their series opener. The M’s called up Stephen Pryor to shore up the ‘Pen, and a game entirely by committee could very well baffle the Twins. Or one of the relievers will get mowed down and there will be nothing to salvage. Pino hasn’t been in the Majors for long, but he has struggled mightily and could provide an opportunity for the M’s to get out of their offensive funk.

Projected Lineups:

Mariners:

Michael Saunders 9

James Jones 8

Robinson Cano 4

Corey Hart DH

Kyle Seager 5

Logan Morrison 3

Mike Zunino 2

Dustin Ackley 7

Brad Miller 6

Of Note: the Mariners had 12 hits compared to just 9 for the Twins in Wednesday’s game. However, the Mariners managed only 1 run and the Twins notched 8. The M’s were a poor 1-8 with runners in scoring position and left 12 men on base.

Twins:

Brian Dozier 4

Eduardo Nunez 6

Trevor Plouffe 5

Kendrys Morales DH

Josh Willingham 7

Oswaldo Arcia 9

Kurt Suzuki 2

Chris Colabello 3

Sam Fuld 8

Of Note: the Twins have not only shut down the Mariners offense in this series, but have also provided their own in last night’s contest. They shelled the Mariners for 8 runs, 7 of them coming off of lefty starter Roenis Elias. Even without Joe Maurer in the lineup, this team has found a way to win 2 consecutive games against the Mariners.

Final Thoughts:

The Mariners really need a bounce back win today to split the series. Pino looks vulnerable, and if the bullpen can be stretched to pitch 9 innings instead of 3 or 4, the Mariners could very well win this one and feel a little better going into the big-time series against the Athletics this weekend.

Score Prediction:

Mariners 4, Twins 1.