The Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays meet Saturday in MLB action from Rogers Centre. This will be the second installment in a three-game series over the weekend. In the Friday opener, the Blue Jays eked out a one-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners played the Phillies this week, winning Tuesday before dropping the other two games. On Friday versus Toronto, Seattle had a brief 2-1 lead in the third but ended up falling 3-2. Starting pitcher Luis Castillo put up 5.0 innings with two earned on six hits and two walks.
For the starter gig on Saturday, the Mariners will send out Chris Flexen. In his five games (four starts) so far Flexen is 0-4 with an 8.86 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 21.1 innings. Flexen has a career record of 25-30 with a 4.67 ERA in 96 games (68 starts).
Toronto Blue Jays
Over on the Toronto side, they played the White Sox this week. The Jays took a three-game sweep there with wins 5-2, 7-0 and 8-0. On Friday the Jays out-hit the Mariners 8-6 during the victory. Alek Manoah went 5.0 innings in the start with two earned, six hits and four walks.
As starter for the Saturday game, the Blue Jays will go with Kevin Gausman. Over five starts so far Gausman is 2-2 with a 2.84 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 31.2 innings. Gausman is 78-84 with a 3.91 ERA in his career over 272 games (233 starts).
The Mariners are 6-2 in their last eight Saturday games and 30-13 in their last 43 in game two of a series. The over is 5-0 in Seattle’s last five in game two of a series.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays are 4-0 in their last four overall and 5-1 in their last six games. Toronto is 38-18 in their last 56 Saturday games.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’m going to stay with Toronto. The Blue Jays have been doing pretty well on offense this week, and they’ll have some opportunities versus Flexen. He’s given up 18 earned over his last three starts across 12.1 innings on 25 hits and six walks for an 0-3 record in that time. In the Friday opener, the Blue Jays got a great outing from their pen: 4.0 innings, zero hits, zero earned, zero walks and eight combined strikeouts. Another performance like that and Toronto will be in great shape for game two.