A’s try to thwart Mariners’ playoff push
The Mariners are among the hottest teams in baseball. Yet do they have enough time to creep into the playoffs?
Seattle’s quest for its postseason berth since 2001 continues tonight, and it takes the club back to the Pacific Northwest. The Mariners return home for a 10:15 p.m. ET showdown against Oakland. Oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv lean toward Scott Servais’ crew, whereas the A’s represent +130 underdogs. The over/under run figure sits at eight.
Having gone 5-2 in the past week alone, the Mariners find themselves two games behind Baltimore for the American League’s second wild-card spot. Yesterday’s 12-4 demolition of the Astros certainly helped the cause, as Robinson Cano stroked a three-homer to get the party going early. The second baseman’s blast gave him a career-high 36 in 2016.
In a short while, Cano will take his hacks against Kendall Graveman. The Athletics’ 25-year-old hurler got absolutely blasted by Seattle 2 1/3 weeks ago, serving up 12 hits and eight runs in a 14-3 loss. He’s 1-3 with a 1.61 WHIP in six career meetings with the M’s.
The hosts counter with Ariel Miranda. Since arriving in the Emerald City at the trade deadline, the rookie has consistently exceeded expectations. He’ll attempt to set the table for fellow righties Taijuan Walker and Felix Hernandez later in the series.
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Oakland enters the affair having plated an AL-low 638 runs. Bob Melvin’s group sits a stunning 26 ½ games out of first place in the AL West. On the flip side, the M’s have everything for which to play. Expect another dominant effort from those who call Safeco Field home.
THURSDAY MLB FREE PICK: MARINERS -1.5