Mariners Game Preview: King Felix on the Mound to Stop Sweep by Angels
![May 9, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners fans cheer for a strike out by starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (not pictured) during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fsodomojo-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F05-2Ffelix-hernandez-mlb-tampa-bay-rays-seattle-mariners-1-850x560-1cce5439e04d9cf041a3d470afc8163e.jpg)
The Mariners hope that King Felix can get the job done against the Angels in the series finale.
The Seattle Mariners (21-15) will play the last game of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels (15-21). Felix Hernandez (3-2, 2.27 ERA) will get the ball for the Mariners. The Angels will send Hector Santiago (2-2, 4.07 ERA) to the mound for the Angels. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM PT at Safeco Field.
On Monday night, Felix Hernandez became the franchise leader for wins by a starting pitcher. With 146 wins, he passed Jamie Moyer to solidify his place in Mariners history. In 23 starts against the Angels at Safeco Field, Felix has a 3.70 ERA. Over the years, Angels’ hitters have seen a lot of Felix and hitters like Albert Pujols (.200/.254/.345) and Kole Calhoun (.111/.158/.139) still cannot seem to figure him out. Hopefully the rest of the Angels’ lineup also struggles to hit against Felix today.
Hector Santiago has been one of the more promising arms this year in an otherwise unimpressive Angels’ starting rotation. He started the season well, posting a 2.70 ERA in his first few starts. However after striking out 27 batters in his first 26 2/3 innings, he has only struck out 7 batters in the last 15 1/3 innings. In these last 15 1/3 innings, he has also given up a total of 11 runs. Mariners hitters should take advantage on Santiago’s drop in fastball velocity over the last few starts.
The Mariners have given up late-inning leads in both games against the Angels, and have ended up losing the last two games in heartbreaking fashion. I think the King is just what the doctor ordered to shut down the Angels lineup and redeem the last game of this series.
Here are the starting lineups as announced by Mariners skipper Scott Servais, and Angels manager Mike Scioscia:
Lineups for today's series finale between the #Mariners and #Angels in #Seattle. #HappyFelixDay #GoMariners pic.twitter.com/vxxqzEjJhB
— SoDo Mojo (@SodoMojoFS) May 15, 2016
Next: Mariners Try to Even the Series Against the Angels
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