Mariners at Athletics May 17th-18th Series Preview

[Igoe4Mariners]

The Seattle Mariners (14-23) travel to the Oakland Athletics (18-20) for a brief two game set to end their eight game road trip. Seattle has a poor 2-4 record to show for what has been a somewhat well played road trip. The Mariners should've won five of their six road games so far on this trip, but a combination of bad luck, bullpen woes, and lack of clutch-hitting resulted in three losses that ended in the opposing team's final at bat.

The Oakland Athletics, one of the surprising team's to start the season have since faded out of first place in the weak AL Western Division. They have lost five in a row and are coming off a road trip where they went 1-5 at Texas and at Los Angeles.

Pitching Matchups:

Ryan Rowland-Smith, LHP (0-3, 6.44) vs. Gio Gonzalez, LHP (3-3, 4.08)
Felix Hernandez, RHP (2-3, 3.88) vs. Ben Sheets, RHP (2-3, 5.70)



Both teams come into this series needing victories. While Oakland is favored in the first game, Ryan Rowland-Smith is due for a turnaround performance. He has struggled mightily this season after being the second most consistent pitcher at the end of last year for the Mariners. In game two Felix has always been great against Oakland, but Ben Sheets has the potential to shut down any offense; and shutting down the Mariners is not the toughest task in the world.

[Igoe4Mariners]

As much as I want "hyphen" to have a good performance and turn around his season, it has not looked good at all this season. He has lacked command of every one of his pitches and I just don't think he will get it done in game one. Hopefully I'm wrong. In game two I expect the King to pitch us past the A's, even with our lackluster offense. I expect a split coming back home to face the Jays.

[SeaTownJosh]

I just hope they sweep and head back to seattle to start wining again.

I wish june would come faster!

[Igoe4Mariners]

Unfortuantely I was right on game one, lets hope I'm right on game two as well.

Rowland-Smith can't be sent down because he has no options left. there is no way this team puts him through waivers, he will be scooped up immediately. Either send Colome down and bring up French or flip flop Snell and Hyphen.

[blade55555]

I just hope they sweep and head back to seattle to start wining again.

I wish june would come faster!

Sadly thats wishful thinking

[Igoe4Mariners]

And the Mariners are swept away in Oakland. Another walk-off loss and it just keeps getting more and more depressing.