Padres at Mariners May 21st-23rd Series Preview

[Igoe4Mariners]

Seattle (15-26) will look to carry the momentum of a great ninth inning comeback against the Blue Jays in which Ken Griffey Jr. delivered a walk-off single down the left field line. The Mariners broke their five game losing streak with the comeback and finally got to be on the other end of a walk-off win. They await their interleague rivals, the San Diego Padres (24-17), who have surprised many people this year with their good start to the early season.

The Padres have a very young team that has rounded into form nicely in the 2010 season so far. They are led on offense by the great Adrian Gonzalez who was expected to get traded at the deadline to a contending team, but with the way the Padres are playing now, that might not happen. The pitching staff has really done extremely well despite the fact that they don't really have a top-end starter. This is just the first of two series the Mariners and Padres will play this season with Seattle going back to San Diego in June for a return three-game set.

Pitching Matchups:
Wade LeBlanc, LHP (2-1, 1.54) vs. Cliff Lee, LHP (1-2, 2.08)
Clayton Richard, LHP (3-2, 2.94) vs. Ian Snell, RHP (0-2, 4.76)
Mat Latos, RHP (3-3, 3.28) vs. Felix Hernandez, RHP (2-3, 3.95)

I expect us to ride the momentum of a great come from behind victory over Toronto into a series win over the Padres. San Diego has played well thus far, but they are due for a let-down. We can bring them back down to earth with a couple of good games this series. The only thing that is keeping me from predicting a sweep is game two. I just don't think anyone knows how Ian Snell is going to perform at this point. Lets get this season rolling in the right direction with a sweep.

Also: Feel free to make your prediction in the poll of how the M's will do this series.

[Jared]

I think we should definitely take at least two of three here, although the Pads have been playing suprisingly well this year. The walk-off win yesterday combined with wins from Lee and King Felix may spark something here.

Not big on Snell though, and I don't expect him to win especially with our lack of run production. Hopefully he proves me wrong.

[clarknova]

My prediction: Three game sweep. We trade Jose Lopez, Casey Kotchman, and Ryan Rowland-Smith to San Diego in the next 3 hours for Adrian Gonzales, and he hits a grand slam in each game against his former team.

My realistic prediction: I think we have a great chance tonight, and Felix is bound to be due for his yearly boy to a man metamorphosis, and I think game 3 of this series would be a great time for that. Snell is so hot and cold, I'll be watching and hoping, but not expecting much. I'm thinking I might go to game 3 so we'll see if I can affect the outcome with my mind. I'm going to smuggle some tacos in my socks just in case.

[Igoe4Mariners]

What an offensive output so far...13 runs in just 4 innings. Lets get some more!