Mariners Game Preview: Felix Takes Shot at Rays

King Felix will attempt to surpass Jamie Moyer tonight as the Mariners all-time leader in wins.

The Seattle Mariners (18-13) start a three game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (15-14) Monday night at Safeco Field. Felix Hernandez (2-2, 2.21 ERA) will start the game for the Mariners. Matt Moore (1-3, 4.95 ERA) will take the ball for the Rays. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM PT.

Felix Hernandez is coming off an emotionally charged game against Oakland in which he only went four complete innings and allowed eight runs (four earned). He left in the 5th inning without recording an out, Mariners down 8-0. The Mariners ended up winning that game, protecting Felix from a loss. Felix has been up and down with his control all season, but has still been able to keep his team in ballgames and maintain a manageable 2.21 ERA. The King is 7-2 lifetime with a 1.90 ERA against the Rays.

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Matt Moore is also coming off a rough start where he gave up a lot of runs in a short amount of time. Against the Dodgers he gave up 7 runs in 4.1 innings, earning the loss. Once a promising starter, Moore has lost a lot of his velocity after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2014. He is win-less at Safeco Field with 1.35 ERA during his career. Out of the current Mariners players, only Nori Aoki, Robinson Cano, Adam Lind and Kyle Seager have had hits against him. In 20 plate appearances, Cano is batting .250 with one home run against Moore.

Here are today’s lineups as presented by Mariners manager Scott Servias and Rays skipper Kevin Cash:

Pick to Click: 

My pick to click is none other than Felix Hernandez himself. Save for his April 10th start against Oakland where he did not earn the win or his start against Kansas City on April 29th, Felix has yet to find a groove with his command. Don’t get me wrong, he has still found a way to get batters out (off speed stuff and such), but I think today is the day that Felix gets his rhythm back. I’m hoping for a quality start with one walk, 6 strikeouts and only a run or two allowed.

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Tonight’s game will be televised locally on Root Sports Northwest, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices. Make sure to follow SoDo Mojo on twitter for live updates throughout the game, and check back after the final out has been recorded for a full recap. Go Mariners!