Seattle Mariners Gameday Preview Versus the White Sox

After losing a tough one in extras last night, the Mariners look to win the 4-game series this afternoon against the Chicago White Sox. The team needs to keep pace with the likes of the Yankees and Royals before their series against the Toronto Blue Jays begins on Monday.

Game Details:

Seattle Mariners: 61-55. Last 1o: 6-4.

Chicago White Sox: 56-62. Last 10: 4-6.

Game Time: 1:10 PM Pacific time. Location: Seattle, Washington. Safeco Field.

MATCHUPS:

Pitching:

Seattle Mariners RHP Erasmo Ramirez (1-5, 4.35 ERA) v. Chicago White Sox RHP John Danks (9-7, 4.93 ERA)

EDGE: Danks. Though both pitchers have inflated ERAs and both have struggled at times over the course of the season, Danks has proven his worth as a Major League pitcher. Ramirez is still young and unproven, still not capable of putting together a string of solid starts. He’s only starting today to give the rotation an extra day of rest and put Felix Hernandez on the mound against the Blue Jays.

Lineups:

Mariners:

Austin Jackson 8

Dustin Ackley 7

Robinson Cano 4

Kendrys Morales DH

Kyle Seager 5

Chris Denorfia 9

Logan Morrison 3

Chris Taylor 6

Jesus Sucre 2

Of Note: the offense managed only 7 hits in last night’s 10-inning contest. We need to hope that last night was a short blip, and not indicative of another slump into offensive apathy.

White Sox:

Leury Garcia 5

Alejandro De Aza 8

Jose Abreu DH

Dayan Viciedo 7

Alexei Ramirez 6

Paul Konerko 3

Tyler Flowers 2

Moises Sierra 9

Gordon Beckham 4

Of Note: the White Sox did have 10 hits last night but only managed 2 runs off of those 10 base knocks. They were 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position (where the Mariners were 1-for-4). The 10th inning unearned run against Fernando Rodney put the nail in the coffin.

Mariners fans need to hope last night’s game was just a slow night and not an indication that the offensive competence is over. Danks is a hittable pitcher this afternoon, but so too is Ramirez. This game could end up being high-scoring on one or both sides. The key will be staying in the game and getting those timely hits.

Score Prediction:

Mariners 3, White Sox 5.