Mariners Game Preview: Mariners Try to Even the Series Against the Angels

The Seattle Mariners will send Hisashi Iwakuma to face the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and newly acquired right handed pitcher Jhoulys Chacin on Kyle Seager bobblehead night.

The Seattle Mariners (21-14) will attempt to even the series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (14-21) Saturday evening at Safeco Field in Seattle. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 pm.  Hisashi Iwakuma (1-4, 4.19 ERA) will take the hill for the Mariners, and Jhoulys Chacin (1-2, 5.40 ERA) will be opposing Mariners for the Angels.  The Angels came back from a 5-1 deficit in the first game of the series Friday evening and beat the Mariners 7-6.

Iwakuma has struggled in a few of his first seven starts.  However his best outing this season came against the Angels as he went 8 innings allowing six hits and two runs.  The Mariners would eventually win the contest 5-2 on April 22nd.  Iwakuma is looking for his second victory of the season and will face an Angels team that has struggled this season out of the gate.  However they do have one of the most potent lineups in MLB as they are led by 2014 American League MVP Mike Trout.

More from Mariners News

• 2023 Steamer Projections: Teoscar Hernandez could see a drop in Seattle
• Steamer Projections: Julio Rodriguez to enter rarified air in 2023
• What if the Mariners traded FOR Tyler O’Neill this time?
• Mariners starting pitching is being overlooked by MLB
• Baking the Cake: An Adjusted Mariners Offseason Plan

Jhoulys Chacin will make his first start for the Angels after being traded from the Atlanta Braves for a minor leaguer.  Chacin was obtained from Atlanta just after the Angels learned that Garrett Richards would be out for the season.   Chacin is looking for his first win for the Angels tonight in Seattle.

Mariners skipper Scott Servais and Angels manager Mike Scioscia have released the following lineups for tonight’s game:

Picks to Click

Robinson Cano earned American League player of the week last week as he was scorching hot.  He will definitely continue to stay hot.  His batting average has been steadily climbing.  His slash line currently sits at .299/.344/.599.  He leads the American League in home runs and RBI’s so far this season.  Cano will continue to make his case for the MVP award.  Tonight is Kyle Seager bobblehead night.  Expect Kyle Seager to rise to the occasion and have a magical night tonight.  I also expect Hisashi Iwakuma to shine today.  He’s due for another win.  Hisashi Iwakuma is one of the premier starters in the Majors and it’s a matter of time before he goes on a winning streak.

More from SoDo Mojo

• 2023 Steamer Projections: Teoscar Hernandez could see a drop in Seattle
• Could the Mariners Acquire AL Batting Champion, Luis Arraez?
• Steamer Projections: Julio Rodriguez to enter rarified air in 2023
• What if the Mariners traded FOR Tyler O’Neill this time?
• Mariners starting pitching is being overlooked by MLB

Final Score Prediction

The Mariners will blow out the Angels in this one and even the series.  The Mariners will win 8-2 this evening at Safeco.  The Mariners offense has steadily been heating up.  Kyle Seager and Nelson Cruz are joining Robinson Cano and heating up.  Hitting is contagious and the Mariners offense is going to win a lot of games this season.

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