Mariners vs Angels Preview: Teams Battling For Playoff Berths

The Seattle Mariners visit the Los Angeles Angels for a four-game series beginning Thursday. It’s a big one for both teams, who are within 3.5 games of a wild card spot and within six games of the division lead. The Mariners vs Angels preview notes the Angels have won four of the last five games Shohei Ohtani started against Seattle. He’ll take the mound for the Angels in Thursday’s series opener.

The Mariners will send Bryan Woo to the mound. Woo is 1-3 with a 4.96 ERA and Seattle is 4-6 when he starts. The Angels are 13-7 when Ohtani takes the mound, as he’s 9-5 with a 3.43 ERA. The MLB odds seem cheap, as Ohtani is -155 over Woo.

Seattle isn’t a great-hitting team, ranking No. 26 in team batting average. But the Mariners make the most of their hits, ranking No. 14 in runs scored. Seattle’s strength is its pitching, and Seattle is No. 4 in team ERA. The bullpen has been decent, converting 27 of 41 save opportunities.

The Angels aren’t a great pitching team, ranking No. 19 in team ERA. But Los Angeles relievers have 33 saves in 50 opportunities. The thing the Angels do best is hit the ball. The MLB stats show Los Angeles ranks No. 10 in team batting average, No. 5 in runs scored, and No. 3 in home runs. The Angels can score.

Seattle is 56-52 but plays better at home. The Mariners are 31-26 at home and 25-26 on the road. The Angels are 56-53, going 29-23 at home and 27-30 on the road. While both teams are alive for the division title, an easier path to the playoffs will be as a wild card team. The MLB standings wildcard has four teams within 3.5 games of Toronto for the third wild card spot.

Thursday’s Game

Thursday’s line is a bit puzzling, as you would expect the Angels to be a bit higher than the current-147. Woo hasn’t been all that impressive, and Ohtani is a big name. Ohtani has won both starts against Seattle this year. The Angels are the only side you can consider in this one. The total sits at 8.5 juiced to the under at -120. The Mariners are -150 on the run line at +1.5.

Friday’s Game

The Mariners vs Angels preview has Luis Castillo scheduled to start against lefty Reid Detmers. Castillo is 7-7 despite a 2.88 ERA, while Detmers is just 2-8 with a 4.35 ERA. Both pitchers probably deserve a little better in the win-loss record at a glance. The Mariners have gone 10-12 with Castillo on the mound, allowing just 3.36 runs per game. Seattle has scored three runs or less in 10 of Castillo’s 22 starts.

The Angels are 7-12 with Detmers on the mound. But Los Angeles is allowing 5.42 runs per game when Detmers starts. The Mariners are 12-13 against left-handed starters, scoring 4.08 runs per game. That’s pretty close to the 4.21 runs Seattle scores against right-handed starts, so there isn’t much of a difference. Castillo has the better numbers and is probably the pitcher to back in this one.

Saturday’s Game

George Kirby should get the start for Seattle, while the Angels should throw Tyler Anderson. Kirby is 9-8 with a 3.43 ERA. Seattle is 12-9 when Kirby starts, allowing 3.57 runs per game. Anderson is 5-2 on the year with an ERA of 4.98. But the Angels are 11-7 when he starts, even though they allow 4.72 runs per game. Anderson usually gives the Angels a chance to win, and that’s all you can ask for out of your starters.

Kirby has pitched well this season but has had some back luck. The Mariners are just 4-6 when he starts on the road, so the Angels could be the side to look at in this one.

Sunday’s Game

The Mariners vs Angels preview has Bryce Miller and Chase Silseth as the scheduled starters for the series finale. Miller is 7-4 with a 4.35 ERA. The Mariners have gone 9-6 when Miller starts and 3-3 when he starts on the road. Silseth is 3-1 with a 3.99 ERA. The Angels have won two of Silseth’s three starts.

Miller has proven a bit more this season, but Silseth has looked decent in his limited time on the mound. He has pitched five innings in two of his starts, as he stretches out his innings a bit. Eight of his 11 appearances this season have been as a relief pitcher. With both pitchers throwing well, the under could be worth a look.

For MLB betting news, odds, analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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