7:10 pm
August 2

Mariners @ Rays

Who will WIN this matchup?

Seattle Mariners (56-50)

@ Tampa Bay Rays (64-42)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Flexen (SEA): 9-5; 3.81 ERA

Wacha (TB) 2-2; 4.79 ERA

 

Current odds:

Seattle Mariners: (+180)

Tampa Bay Rays: (-200)

 

• The Tampa Bay Rays look to build upon their newfound lead atop the American League East standings when they host the Seattle Mariners for a three-game series beginning Monday.

• The Rays flipped a 1 1/2-game deficit in their division to a 1 1/2-game lead courtesy of a three-game home sweep of the Boston Red Sox over the weekend. Tampa Bay has won nine of its last 12 overall despite having a franchise-record 15 pitchers currently sidelined on its injured list.

• The Mariners have lost four of five, including dropping their each of their last two on one-run walk-offs against the Texas Rangers.

• Right-hander Chris Flexen (9-5, 3.81 ERA) is set to take the mound for Seattle in the opener Monday looking to rebound from giving up seven runs in his last outing. Righty Michael Wacha (2-2, 4.79) will toe the rubber for Tampa Bay.

• The Mariners swept a four-game series against the Rays when the teams met in Seattle from June 17-20, winning three times on walk-offs. The disastrous performance by Tampa Bay came amid a season-high seven-game losing streak, losing four by walk-off.

• Maintaining momentum is key for the Rays this week, as they return to Boston for a three-game rematch from Aug. 10-12.

• The Mariners’ recent skid has dropped the team eight games back in the AL West. Sunday’s loss was particularly tough, as the club entered the ninth inning with a 3-1 lead before falling 4-3.

• Flexen was roughed up by the Houston Astros over four innings in his last turn. The 27-year-old had allowed three runs or fewer in eight straight starts prior to the blowup. Flexen has faced Tampa Bay once, allowing five runs in three innings during a start with the New York Mets in 2018.

• Wacha will pitch for the Rays after matching a season high with nine strikeouts against the New York Yankees in his most recent performance. He surrendered one unearned run over five innings in a no-decision. Wacha is 0-2 with an 8.25 ERA lifetime versus Seattle. That includes June 18, when he was tagged for five runs on 11 hits over 3 2/3 innings in a loss.

• The Rays on Sunday placed left-handed reliever Jeffrey Springs on the 10-day injured list with a right knee sprain.

6/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Tampa Bay Rays
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