Mariners Game Preview: Karns Battles Keuchel

Apr 21, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Nathan Karns (13) and second baseman Robinson Cano (22) leaves the field after the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Nathan Karns (13) and second baseman Robinson Cano (22) leaves the field after the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Seattle Mariners will go for the fourth consecutive win on Tuesday night against the Houston Astros.

The Seattle Mariners (10-9) will play the Houston Astros (6-14) tonight at Safeco Field in the second game of a three game series. Nate Karns (1-1, 5.28 ERA) will be on the mound for the Mariners. The Mariners offense will face reining AL Cy Young winner, Dallas Keuchel (2-2, 3.71 ERA), for the first time this season. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM.

Nathan Karns is making is fourth start of the season for the Mariners. He went four strong innings before giving up a three-run home run to Rajai Davis and a run-scoring double from Jose Ramirez against the Cleveland Indians. Karns was pulled in favor of Nick Vincent after 5 1/3 innings. Karns’ best start of 2016 came against the New York Yankees, when he only gave up one total earned run and earned his first win of the season.

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Dallas Keuchel’s last outing was a 7-4 loss against the Texas Rangers. In that start, Keuchel allowed 13 hits and six earned runs in six innings. The current Mariners lineup boats a .258 batting average with a .284 BABIP this season, so hopefully the M’s can capitalize on that. Keuchel’s road stats are less inspiring than his home stats, another factor that should fall in favor of the Mariners.

Here are the lineups as announced by Mariners manager Scott Servais and Astros skipper A.J. Hinch:

Pick to Click: 

My pick to click is none other than Dae-ho Lee! Last time we saw Dae-Ho at Safeco, we all know what happened. He doesn’t have to hit a home run, but I expect him to go 2 for 3 with a double, and play some nice defense at first.

Next: James Paxton Strikes Out 8 in 5 Nearly Shutout Innings

Score Prediction: 

Factoring in Keuchel’s road woes, I think the Mariners will pull out the win in this one. At the same time, Keuchel is still very, very good, so I don’t except us to score a ton of runs off of him. Final score prediction 4-2 Mariners.