Seattle Mariners (4-6) vs. Chicago Cubs (4-4)
The 2023 Major League Baseball Season is opening the third week of the 2023 season when the Seattle Mariners travel to take on the Chicago Cubs in this interleague battle at famed Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Seattle enters as the favorite (-140) with the total not set at the time this preview was written.
These teams have not squared off since 2019 when the Cubs swept both two-game sets, including at home (September 2-3). Chicago outscored Seattle 28-7 in those four games, with all but one game decided by four runs or more.
The Seattle Mariners dropped the final game of the series with Cleveland, 7-6, but still took two of the three games from the Guardians. Seattle has won three of their last five games. They are 2-1 on the road and are tied for third in the AL West.
This was a 3-2 Seattle lead through the first eight, but Cleveland tied the score in the ninth and the teams exchanged runs over the next two innings until the Guardians won in the 12th. Zach Plesac allowed two runs in seven innings and the Mariners starters have a 3.35 ERA. Luis Castillo has pitched very well, allowing non-runs and just three hits in 11.2 innings through his first two starts. The bullpen gave up four runs in the loss, but have a 3.19 ERA overall.
Off to Chicago for a three-game set on the North Side. pic.twitter.com/nGSybLX9I0
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 9, 2023
Seattle scored seven runs on nine hits on Sunday, producing 14 total runs against Cleveland. The Mariners are hitting .234 as a team with just eight homers and 43 runs scored. Julio Rodriguez is hitting .283 with two homers and four RBI.