PREMIUM
Rogers' MLB LATE SHOW >> 4-0 Wednesday! 24-12-1 MLB Run!
(MLB) Seattle vs. Oakland,
Money Line: -137.00 Seattle (Away)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -137.00 Seattle (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Seattle Mariners opened 2-8 but have won five of six after Wednesday's 10-5 victory over the Miami Marlins. Seattle now travels to Oakland, off to a 7-8 start, for a four-game series which begins tonight. Oakland, like Seattle did on Wednesday, produced a season best for runs in Wednesday's 9-1 victory over the Texas Rangers. LF Khris Davis hit his seventh HR of 2017 to tie for the major-league lead. Davis had career-high 42-homer campaign in 2016.
The pitching matchup: Lefty James Paxton (2-0 & 0.00 ERA) takes the hill for Seattle, opposed by Oakland's Cesar Valdez (NR in 2017). Paxton was just 6-7 with a 3.79 ERA in 20 starts last season (Mariners were 7-13, minus-$898) but it was notable that he had nearly five times as many strikeouts (117) as walks (24). He been long been viewed as a future standout by the Mariners but injuries have curtailed his progress and last season's 121 innings are his most since he reached the majors in 2013. Maybe 2017 will be his tyear? He's opened 2-0 without allowing a run over 15 innings with a 17-3 KW ratio. What's more, he is 2-0 with a 2.75 ERA in three career starts against the Athletics (Seattle is 3-0). Valdez is making only his third major-league start and is appearing in a big-league game for the first time since June 10, 2010 when he was a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 32-year-old went 1-2 with a 7.65 ERA and 1.95 WHIP in nine appearances (two starts) during the 2010 stint. Valdez was signed by Oakland as a minor-league free agent last November.
The pick: Paxton has been terrific in two starts this year and in limited action, has done well vs. the A's. Also, the Mariners have won 12 of their past 13 games in Oakland. A's manager Bob Melvin said about Valdez, "We were impressed by what we saw from him in spring training." He was 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA at Triple-A Nashville when recalled to start for injured Kendall Graveman. Added Melvin, "The thing is: Every injury to somebody is an opportunity for somebody else." My 'gut' says...Make Seattle an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: Lefty James Paxton (2-0 & 0.00 ERA) takes the hill for Seattle, opposed by Oakland's Cesar Valdez (NR in 2017). Paxton was just 6-7 with a 3.79 ERA in 20 starts last season (Mariners were 7-13, minus-$898) but it was notable that he had nearly five times as many strikeouts (117) as walks (24). He been long been viewed as a future standout by the Mariners but injuries have curtailed his progress and last season's 121 innings are his most since he reached the majors in 2013. Maybe 2017 will be his tyear? He's opened 2-0 without allowing a run over 15 innings with a 17-3 KW ratio. What's more, he is 2-0 with a 2.75 ERA in three career starts against the Athletics (Seattle is 3-0). Valdez is making only his third major-league start and is appearing in a big-league game for the first time since June 10, 2010 when he was a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 32-year-old went 1-2 with a 7.65 ERA and 1.95 WHIP in nine appearances (two starts) during the 2010 stint. Valdez was signed by Oakland as a minor-league free agent last November.
The pick: Paxton has been terrific in two starts this year and in limited action, has done well vs. the A's. Also, the Mariners have won 12 of their past 13 games in Oakland. A's manager Bob Melvin said about Valdez, "We were impressed by what we saw from him in spring training." He was 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA at Triple-A Nashville when recalled to start for injured Kendall Graveman. Added Melvin, "The thing is: Every injury to somebody is an opportunity for somebody else." My 'gut' says...Make Seattle an 8* play.
