San Diego (81-64) at Seattle (73-71)
When: Tuesday, September 10th 2024
Where: T-Mobile Park,
Seattle, WA
Time: 9:40 ET | TV: MLB.tv
Opening Odds: Seattle -105/7
The Seattle Mariners look to remain hot and in the playoff hunt when they open a two-game interleague series at home against the San Diego Padres beginning Tuesday night. The Mariners enter Monday’s action 4.5 games behind the Houston Astros in the American League West and 3.5 games back of the Minnesota Twins for the third and final wild card spot in the AL. Seattle has won four of five after taking two of three at the St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend. In the four wins, Seattle has scored 16, 6, 6 and 10. Mariners players are crediting hitting coach Edgar Martinez for the offensive surge, who joined the staff when Dan Wilson replaced the fired Scott Servais as manager on Aug. 23.
Meanwhile, San Diego doesn’t have much to worry about when you look at the standings, unless they completely implode over the next three weeks of the regular season. The Padres enter Monday leading the National League’s wild-card race with a two-game edge over third and six games behind the L.A. Dodgers in the NL West. These two clubs share a Spring Training home and meet annually during the regular season. Seattle had no problem sweeping a two-game set back in July at San Diego, outscoring the Padres 10-3.
Pitching Matchup
Padres – Yu Darvish (4-3, 3.51)
Mariners – George Kirby (11-10, 3.61)
Yu Darvish will be making just his second start since May 29 and the first one didn’t go so well. The 38-year old lasted just 2 2/3 innings and gave up three runs on four hits, with two walks and four strikeouts. Darvish went on the injured list in June with a left groin strain, then was placed on the restricted list in early July while he tended to a private family matter. He is 7-4 with a 3.57 ERA in 15 career starts against the Mariners, mostly with Texas.
George Kirby won his start on August 30th against the L.A. Angels despite allowing five runs over 5 2/3 innings and surrendered three home runs. He bounced back and won again in his latest outing, allowing two runs over six innings with nine strikeouts at the Oakland A’s. Kirby surrendered five runs on 11 hits over 3 2/3 innings in his lone career start against San Diego last season.
The Mariners offense has picked it up of late and Kirby at home has been solid. He has a sub 3.00 ERA and 1.05 WHIP and T-Mobile. Seattle is 27-19 in Game 1 of a series including 16-8 after a win. I’ll back Kirby and the M’s in the opener.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for today.
Pick: Mariners -105
