Mariners v. Angels series preview: Miranda switches to Friday

The Mariners enter essentially a make-or-break series with the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. After getting swept in two games by the Phillies, the Mariners need to rebound with at least a series win in Anaheim.

The Mariners come into this series 39-41, but if they can shore up some bullpen holes, they have the capability of doing whatever they want. Seattle has lost their last four games. All were at home where the Mariners have had one of the best records in 2017.

The team announced Thursday, that Ariel Miranda would be swapping rotation spots with Sam Gaviglio. So this weekend, it will be Miranda: Friday, Gaviglio: Saturday, and Paxton: Sunday.

Friday – Miranda v. Parker Bridwell

Bridwell just made his first appearance in the Angels rotation on May 30th after Matt Shoemaker went down with an injury. In his four appearances, he’s gone 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA. However, his WHIP is 1.31 and his opponents are hitting .282 off of him.

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Miranda has been a monster for the Mariners this season. Aside from a couple bad starts mixed in,  he has torn it up. In 11 of his 16 starts, he has given up 2 earned runs or fewer. That said, in the other five he gave up earned run totals of 8, 6, 4, 4, and 4. If average Miranda can show up, the M’s should be able to pull a win.

Hopefully the Mariners can see their bats go to town against Bridwell’s pitching and snap the losing streak at four.

Saturday – Gaviglio v. Ricky Nolasco

Nolasco has been a wreck for the Angels this season. In 16 starts, he has 12 decisions, three wins and nine losses. He has an ERA of 4.86 and a WHIP of 1.43. Nolasco is currently listed as the projected starter for Saturday, but he sustained a leg injury during his last start, and his availability for Saturday is a little up in the air.

Gaviglio is 3-2 in eight starts this year. He maintains a 3.38 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP. His WAR also is 0.7 and that is a huge bright spot for the Mariners right now. They found, in-house, a solid rotation guy in Gaviglio. With the news of Drew Smyly needing Tommy John surgery to repair a torn UCL, the Mariners will likely need to acquire a new rotation starter. Gaviglio’s emergence though, keeps that number at one and not two.

Sunday – Paxton v. Jesse Chavez

Chavez is 5-8 this year with a 5.06 ERA. His last five starts have gone 2 earned runs, 5, 2, 6, and 2. So he’s been really good and also really bad. So who knows which Chavez will show up against there Mariners this weekend, but with Paxton on the mound, hopefully the Mariners can pull the win.

I won’t get into Paxton’s stats on the year, because we know he’s been really solid this year, but I’ll remind you that in his last start, he gave up four runs in the loss to the Phillies on Tuesday.

Next: Mariners: What to take away from getting swept

If the Mariners can play like they should, they will likely emerge from this series with a 2 out of 3 but maybe even a sweep heading into the last two series of the first half. Here’s to hoping the Mariners can play well this series and build some momentum.