7:10 pm
August 3

Mariners @ Rays

Who will WIN this matchup?

Seattle Mariners (57-50)

@ Tampa Bay Rays (64-43)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Kikuchi (SEA): 6-6; 4.01 ERA

Patino (TB) 2-2; 4.26 ERA

 

Current odds:

Seattle Mariners: (+145)

Tampa Bay Rays: (-155)

 

• The Tampa Bay Rays swept a three-game series with Boston over the weekend to take over first place in the American League East. But they still haven’t found a way to beat the Seattle Mariners in 2021. The Rays lost 8-2 to the visiting Mariners on Monday night to drop to 0-5 against them this season. The teams will meet again Tuesday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.

• The Rays were in first place when they made a trip June 17-20 to Seattle. They lost four straight to fall behind the Red Sox and it took until the Boston sweep to regain the lead.

• The Mariners, who are three games behind Oakland in the chase for the A.L.’s second wild-card berth, were coming off back-to-back walk-off losses against lowly Texas.

• Monday’s game also featured the return of Mariners closer Diego Castillo to Tampa Bay after the Rays dealt him to Seattle on Thursday. He received a nice ovation from the crowd and tipped his hat while sitting in the visiting bullpen. Five days later, he’s back at Tropicana Field — albeit in a different uniform. Rays manager Kevin Cash said jokingly before the game that he hoped Castillo would get the next three days off.

• The Mariners are scheduled to start All-Star left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (6-6, 4.01 ERA) on Tuesday against Rays right-hander Luis Patino (2-2, 4.26). Kikuchi beat the Rays 5-1 on June 18 in his only previous appearance against them. He allowed one run on four hits in seven innings, with three walks and six strikeouts.

• Patino faced the Mariners twice last season while with San Diego, making one start and posting a 3.38 ERA in 2 2/3 innings combined. He did not have any wins or losses against them.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Tampa Bay Rays
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