MLB · Mon, May 25 · 9:40 PM

Mariners at Athletics

O/U 10.5 · RL Mariners -1.5 · Sutter Health Park

Gary's pick

Athletics ML-102

CONF 70%

Result

LLostFinal 9-2

The read

Welcome to West Sacramento, where the upstart Athletics look to defend their AL West lead against the visiting Mariners in what promises to be a highly charged series opener at Sutter Health Park. On the surface, Seattle starting pitcher Emerson Hancock looks like a tough assignment with his shiny 3.07 ERA. But advanced metrics tell a much different story. Hancock is sitting on a 4.09 expected ERA and has already surrendered eight home runs in less than 60 innings. Sending a fly-ball pitcher who struggles under the lights into a verified launching pad with a 109 park factor is a dangerous proposition, especially against an Oakland lineup built to punish right-handed pitching.

The Athletics' offense brings an elite left-handed platoon advantage to the plate tonight. Carlos Cortes carries a .952 OPS against righties, and rookie sensation Nick Kurtz boasts a massive 1.049 OPS in the split while chasing a franchise-record 48-game on-base streak. These patient, high-on-base lefties profile perfectly to exploit Hancock's regression indicators. On the other side, Oakland starter Luis Severino carries the exact same 4.09 expected ERA as his counterpart, but his splits heavily favor this spot. Severino is a completely different pitcher when the sun goes down, holding a 3.40 ERA at night, and he has recently shown the stamina to pitch deep into games and protect Oakland's high-leverage relievers.

The final blow to Seattle's chances tonight is the sudden loss of Cal Raleigh to a fresh oblique injury. Sidelined just today, Raleigh's absence removes Seattle's primary power threat and defensive anchor behind the plate. That puts immense pressure on a slumping Randy Arozarena to carry the offensive load against an Oakland starter who has historically handled the top of the Mariners order well. Backed by sharp money and holding a distinct platoon advantage in a power-friendly environment, the Athletics have all the right ingredients to secure the home victory.

Injuries noted

Athletics: [NEW] Denzel Clarke (Center Fielder) — Hamstring (Right): Clarke (hamstring) will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection Tuesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. (May 25 — 0d ago) [NEW] Max Muncy (Shortstop) — Hand (Left): Muncy (hand) has been cleared to take batting practice on the field and also go through infield drills, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. (May 25 — 0d ago) [NEW] Jacob Wilson (SS) — Shoulder (Left): Wilson (shoulder) has begun a hitting progression and also resumed playing catch, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. (May 25 — 0d ago) [KNOWN] Brooks Kriske (RP) — Shoulder (Right): Kriske (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing for at least three weeks, Jason Burke of SI.com reports. (May 18 — 7d ago) Mariners: [KNOWN] Joe Jacques (Relief Pitcher) — Undisclosed (Not Specified): The Mets signed Jacques to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. (May 8 — 17d ago) [KNOWN] Gabe Speier (RP) — Shoulder (Left): Speier (shoulder) began a rehab assignment with High-A Everett on Wednesday, allowing three runs on three hits, including two home runs, over one inning. He struck out two. (May 21 — 4d ago) [KNOWN] Brendan Donovan (3B) — Groin (Left): Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said Sunday that Donovan will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection for his strained left groin as well as his adductor and is expected to resume baseball activity in 2-to-3 weeks, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports. (May 18 — 7d ago) [NEW] Cal Raleigh (C) — Oblique (Right): Raleigh (oblique) is slated for light catch play Monday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports. (May 25 — 0d ago) [KNOWN] Miles Mastrobuoni (Shortstop) — Calf (Right): Seattle transferred Mastrobuoni (calf) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday. (May 8 — 17d ago) [KNOWN] Carlos Vargas (Relief Pitcher) — Lat (Right): Vargas (lat) has suffered a setback in his recovery, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports. (May 8 — 17d ago) [KNOWN] Will Wilson (3B) — Thumb (Left): The Mariners placed Wilson on the 10-day injured list Saturday due to a fractured left thumb. (May 8 — 17d ago)

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