Mariners Game Preview: Miley Looks for First Win

The Mariners will attempt to win their third consecutive series on Sunday afternoon against the Angels.

The Seattle Mariners (8-9) will play the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (8-10) in the last game of a three game series in Anaheim on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 pm from Angel Stadium in Anaheim. Wade Miley (0-2, 8.04 ERA) will be on the bump for the Mariners. Matt Shoemaker (1-2, 4.70 ERA) will get the ball for the Angels. First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 PM PT.

In this first meeting of the AL West rivals, the series is even at 1-1. The Mariners won the first contest in extra innings, with a final score of 5-2. Angels took the second game on the tails of Mike Trout‘s 6th inning, 2-run home run off of Felix Hernandez.

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Miley has struggled in his first few starts with the Mariners, and hopefully can get things turned around with today’s start against the Angels. In his three starts with the Mariners this year, Miley respectfully has gone 6 IP/5 ER in a no decision against Texas, 6IP/6 ER in a loss to Texas at home, and his worst start thus far was a loss to Cleveland. Miley was forced out after allowing nine hits, three earned runs and four walks, including one with the bases loaded through 3.2 innings against the Indians. As a third starter, the Mariners have high hopes for Miley, so hopefully a start against the Angels is just what he needs.

In 2015, Mariners batters had decent numbers against Shoemaker, slashing .237/.284/.539. Matt Shoemaker has had his equal share of ups and downs this season. In his first start against Texas he was pulled after giving up six earned runs in three innings. His second start at Oakland was his best of the season, allowing no runs with five strikeouts. Hopefully the Mariners offense can get the bats going against him today.

Here is the Mariners lineup, as announced by manager Scott Servais:

Pick to Click

Now it’s no secret that Kyle Seager has historically struggled in the month of April. However, Seager batted .250 and slugged .625 with one home run against Shoemaker in 2015. Hopefully Kyle can make it two home runs today, and begin a series of great things this season.

Final Score Prediction

My final prediction is that Miley will get back on track and only allow 1 or 2 runs, and the Mariners offense will back him up, in hopes of getting back to the .500 mark. Final score: Mariners 4, Angels 1.

Next: Felix Reigns Supreme, but M’s Come up Short in Anaheim

Make sure you follow SoDo Mojo on twitter for live updates throughout today’s game, and check back with us after the final out has been recorded for a full recap.