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. Chicago enters this contest as the favorite (-116) with the total set at 9.5.
This is the second game of the series between these teams, but this analysis was written prior to the conclusion of the first contest. These teams had 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. The Mariners are getting outstanding pitching early on, posting a 3.18 ERA heading into Monday’s action, fifth best. They are tied for third in the AL West.
On Sunday, Seattle took a 3-2 lead into the eighth, but the teams exploded from there, posting eight total runs over the next three innings as Cleveland won in 12. The starting staff for the Mariners has been very good, posting a 3.35 ERA through the first 10 games. Chris Flexen has appeared in two games, going 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA. He has allowed three runs in nine innings but has walked five.
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.