Interleague Continues
June 15-17
The last place Mariners (27-38) stinging from a sweep at home from the team with the worst record in baseball look to correct their mistakes against a team coming off of a perfect game. The M’s continue their interleague match ups against the San Francisco Giants for a weekend extravaganza.
Pitching match ups
Game 67: RHP – Ryan Vogelsong vs. LHP – Jason Vargas
The Mariners take on the SF Giants this series
Lets put it this way, Fantasy owners of Ryan Vogelsong and feeling pretty confident in this match up. Vogelsong has been strong and consistent throughout the entire season. His weakest outing of the year in which he allowed 4 runs on 4 hits came in April.
- • Current line: 5-2 / 2.26 ERA / 29 BB / 52 SO / 1.18 WHIP
Jason Vargas probably wont be expecting much run support while working with a home field disadvantage. Vargas was one of the more vocal members of the team concerning moving the fences in.
Vargas has struggled in his last 2 outings but probably because he was trying to be perfect instead of being able to trust his team to bail him out.
- • The current SF roster has a combined 37 at bats against the Seattle lefty and are hitting .297
- • Current line: 7-5 / 3.90 ERA / 23 BB / 61 SO / 1.13 WHIP
Game 68: RHP – Tim Lincecum vs. RHP – Kevin Millwood
Lincecum, who is a Seattle native and fan favorite, has a reputation of being one of the most unique and dominate pitchers in baseball. However, with an ERA of 6.00 his 18 Million dollar contract isn’t looking so favorable.
There has even been talk of moving him to the bullpen. Perhaps he just needs a change of scenery.
I think the M’s should offer a trade to the Giants: Tim Lincecum for Chone Figgins. Who’s with me?
Lincecum has given up 39 walks already this season. The M’s need to be patent and let him do the work for them.
- Current Line: 2-7 / 6.00 ERA / 39 BB / 77 SO / 1.58 WHIP
- Before having to leave the game with a groin injury, Millwood was 6 innings into a no hitter. Miraculously, the Seattle bullpen was able to finish the job. A combined no hitter which is rare in the sport. Millwood missed his last start, but threw a strong bullpen session with no pain and should be ready to continue his no hit streak.
- Current giants hitters are hitting just .225 against the veteran
Game 69: LHP – Madison Bumgarner vs. RHP – Felix Hernadez
Bumgarner generally struggles on the teams road trips, but Safeco may feel like a safe place with the M’s lack of ability to produce in their own stadium.
Left handed pitching has been a problem for the M’s this season combined with the fact that Bumgarner has held left handed batters to just a .160 average, leads one to some dreary conclusions.
- Current line: 8-4 / 3.08 ERA / 18 BB / 74 SO / 1.12 WHIP
Felix struggled in his last outing, and while many are very concerned with his performance this season, the back tweak could still be to blame for his disappointing pitching.
Kevin Millwood should be making his first start since the No-Hit game this week
It is interesting that the M’s did not put their ace on the DL when they had the chance, but I think that it is likely due to his leadership in the club house.
Felix is more valuable than with just his arm. He is the team leader.
Giants vs Mariners Series Predictions
Game 1:
The offensive woes of the Mariners are not likely to get better with this match up. My advice: bunt! Prediction: Loss (Giants 2 – Mariners 0)
Game 2:
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think that the M’s can beat Lincecum right now. It is a good match up and I believe in them. Prediction: Win (Giants 3– Mariners 6)
Game 3:
Even if Felix pitches well. The M’s will lose this game. Prediction: Loss (Giants 4 – Mariners 2)
Extra’s
Giants 1B Aubrey Huff may be unavailable for the series. He underwent an MRI exam Thursday after bruising his knee when hopping over the dugout railing following the final out of Cain’s masterpiece.
Seattle, which has scored only 11 runs during its five-game skid, has a major league-low 10 home wins. Of their 38 losses, the Mariners have led in 19 of them.
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