The Oakland Athletics lead the American League with a team ERA of 3.54. The Seattle Mariners, with a team ERA of 3.83, aren’t too far behind. Unfortunately for both teams, their solid pitching statistics have not translated into wins as neither team is above .500.
The Athletics are heavy favorites in MLB lines at -200 while the run total is 7.
On Tuesday, the A’s will host a game with the Mariners. It will be the second of a three-game series. Oakland took the first game 6-2, extending Seattle’s streak of scoring three runs or less in a game to 11. A 12th game in which they score 3 or fewer runs would be a franchise record.
The Oakland Athletics (68-69, 41-28 home) have won six straight games at home against Seattle. They will look to starting pitcher Dallas Braden (9-10, 3.23 ERA) to extend the streak to seven. Braden has been solid as of late, giving up no more than one run in four of his last five starts.
The Seattle Mariners (54-84, 21-46 away) have been baseball’s worst offensive team. They are last in the MLB in both runs scored (440) and team batting average (.236). Center fielder Franklin Gutierrez may end up providing a spark for Seattle’s offense. He returned from a stomach bug Monday to hit a solo home run. He has played well against Oakland as well, accumulating a .341 batting average with a home run and six RBIs in seven road games against Oakland.
Doug Fister (4-11, 3.85 ERA) will make the start for the Mariners. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA in three starts against the A’s. He has struggled lately, however, posting a 1-10 record over his last 11 decisions.
