Seattle Mariners vs Oakland Athletics Series Preview

SEATTLE - MARCH 31: Fans walk up to the stadium before the Seattle Mariners game against the Texas Rangers on March 31, 2008 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE - MARCH 31: Fans walk up to the stadium before the Seattle Mariners game against the Texas Rangers on March 31, 2008 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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After a road trip that seemed to take forever, the Mariners will finally be back home this weekend for a 7 game home stand against the Oakland Athletics and the Houston Astros. The Mariners have got to be excited to get back home and out of the freezing temperatures in Minnesota and Kansas City.

Oakland comes in with a record of 4-8. They have played better than their record shows. They are 8th in the Majors in batting average, 15th in runs scored and are 22nd in ERA with a 4.46. Just because they have a losing record, the A’s cannot be overlooked.

Oakland third baseman Matt Chapman and shortstop Jed Lowrie are both off to hot starts. Chapman is batting .349 entering Wednesday, with 3 home runs. Lowrie is hitting .313 with 2 home runs. In his career, Lowrie has been known as a Mariner killer. His career splits against Seattle are .291/.341/.457 with 7 home runs and 37 runs batted in.

The projected pitching matchups are:

FRI: Andrew Triggs (1-0, 2.53 ERA) against Mike Leake (2-0, 3.00 ERA)

SAT: Kendall Graveman (0-2, 9.45 ERA) against Marco Gonzales (1-1, 7.27 ERA)

SUN: Sean Manaea (1-2, 1.74 ERA) against Felix Hernandez (2-1, 6.60 ERA)

The Mariners will hopefully getting some reinforcements coming back this weekend as well. Ben Gamel, who started the season on the DL with a strained oblique, could be making his season debut on Friday. Coincidentally, Friday’s promotion is Ben Gamel Cap Night, a Mariners cap with Gamel’s long hair attached. Mike Zunino and Nelson Cruz could be back this weekend as well, as this lineup will continue to get healthier.

Finally, Saturday at Safeco Field is Military Cap night, awarded to the first 15,000 fans through the gate. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 PST. Sunday is Jackie Robinson Day across baseball, with every player donning the retired number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson. Ken Griffey Jr started this trend way back in 1997, and it has sparked into every player on April 15th wearing the iconic 42.

Next: Prospect Ian Miller Ready to Help Seattle

With this being just the second homestand of the season, head on out to Safeco Field and take in this great weekend of baseball. As always, Go M’s.