8:15 pm
April 8

Mariners @ Royals

Who will WIN this matchup?

Seattle Mariners (9-2)

@ Kansas City Royals (2-6)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Hernandez (SEA): 1-0; 1.69 ERA

Bailey (KC) 0-0; 5.40 ERA

 

Last 10 Games Played:

Seattle Mariners: 8-2

Kansas City Royals: 2-6

 

Current odds:

Seattle Mariners: (-115)

Kansas City Royals: (+105)

 

• The Seattle Mariners aim to continue the best start in club history when they begin a four-game series against the host Kansas City Royals on Monday. The Royals have dropped six straight after winning their first two games of the season.The Mariners have been one of the biggest surprises of the early season, especially at the plate. Seattle has scored eight or more runs six times in its first 11 games and belted 26 home runs – the most through 11 games since St. Louis hit 29 in 2000 – including three blasts in Sunday’s 12-5 road win over the Chicago White Sox.

• The Royals, by contrast, have hit only seven homers through eight contests and scored a total of eight runs in a three-game sweep in Detroit over the weekend. Kansas City hasn’t gotten much offensive production from anyone other than Whit Merrifield, who is riding a 28-game hitting streak dating to last season and is two away from tying George Brett’s franchise record.

• Hernandez struggled mightily last season, posting a 5.55 ERA while surrendering 27 home runs, and was hit hard this spring. The 32-year-old showed signs of life in his season debut, however, limiting the Los Angeles Angels to three runs – one earned – while striking out four over 5 1/3 innings. Hernandez is 7-6 – including two of his eight wins last season – with a 3.26 ERA in 16 career starts against the Royals.

• Bailey hopes a change of scenery will help him bounce back from last year’s disastrous campaign in which he went 1-14 with a 6.09 ERA in 20 starts with Cincinnati. The 32-year-old’s tenure is Kansas City got off to a decent beginning on Wednesday, as he held Minnesota to three runs over five innings while striking out eight in a no-decision. Bailey is winless in 12 turns dating to May 12, and his team has lost all 12 of those games.

• Seattle has hit at least one home run in a club-record 11 straight games to start the season.

• Mariners OF Mallex Smith has been successful on 11 straight stolen-base attempts dating to last year.

• Merrifield is 5-for-10 with a double and a homer versus Hernandez.

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Seattle Mariners
Previous Pick
Next Pick