The Seattle Mariners and the Los Angeles Angels wrap up their three-game series on Wednesday in Anaheim. The Mariners are in a three-team battle for a wildcard spot in the American League. The Angels are in the midst of a lost season and look like a team that can't have the season end fast enough. The Mariners will send right-hander George Kirby (4-3, 3.39) to the hill on Wednesday afternoon while the Angels and their injury-depleted starting staff have yet to name a starting pitcher, although it is scheduled to be left-hander Patrick Sandoval's (3-8, 3.42) turn on the mound with four days rest. First pitch is scheduled for 4:07pm EST.
The Seattle Mariners continue their quest to make the playoffs for the first time since 2001. The Mariners were the hottest team in baseball at the all-star break and moved themselves in prime position in the wildcard race. Since that time, the Mariners have gone 12-12 heading into Tuesday night's game but are still very much in the race. On Monday night, the Mariners score four times in the 9th inning to pull out a 6-2 win to start the series. On Tuesday night against the Angels, the Mariners bats were quiet for five innings but came alive to score three in the sixth and five in the ninth for an 8-2 win. Robbie Ray picked up his 9th win with six innings of two-run ball with 10 Ks.
Another successful night for La Piedra. pic.twitter.com/oPxsUgKZD2
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) August 16, 2022
The Mariners wisely added starting pitching at the trade deadline as the team still looks for more consistency on the mound. Since the all-star break, the Mariners have a team ERA of 4.24 and have allowed 198 hits in 216 innings pitched. The Mariners newest acquisition, Luis Castillo, has been all that he was advertised after coming to the team. In three starts, he is 1-0 with a 2.18 ERA. Castillo has thrown 20.2 innings and allowed 14 hits and struck out 24 batters. On the mound in the third and final game of the series for the Mariners will be righty George Kirby. Kirby has had 7 quality starts in his 16 turns this season. In his last five games, Kirby is 2-0 with a 2.52 ERA. He has thrown 25 innings and allowed 29 hits while striking out 28. He is 1-1 in two starts against the Angels this season with an ERA of 2.25.