Seattle Mariners vs Los Angeles Angels Picks
It has not been an easy 2023 MLB Season for either the Seattle Mariners (57-52) or the Los Angeles Angels (56-54). While the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros battle for the top spot of the AL West Division since the start of the season, the Angels and the Mariners have been trying to find stability that would help create some sort of a push for the postseason.
Last season was one of the best the Mariners have created in a long time. The Mariners finished the 2022 MLB Season with an overall record of 90-72 and second place in the AL West. They made it as far as the ALDS where they were knocked out by the eventual champs in the Astros. It was their postseason appearance since 2001.
The Mariners hoped their newfound success would be enough for a big push in a loaded AL and AL West, but they struggled to keep at .500% or get above .500 for most of the season.
Their luck changed when they won three of the four games on the road versus the Astros to get to the 2023 MLB All-Star Break at 45-44. After losing four of the first six games to start the second half of the season, Seattle found a rhythm to win 10 of their last 14 games.
It can't be too surprising that the Angels have been one of the most disappointing teams in the AL this season considering the elite talent on the roster. The Angels would start a winning streak, but quickly follow up with some tough losses.
The Angels have been seven games over .500% a few times this season, but they have been at .500% more times this season. They were 48-48 a few games into the second half of the season.
The Angels decided to risk letting star pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani leave for free agency by not trading him during the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline for one more push for the postseason. Los Angeles hasn't made the postseason since 2014.
Seattle Mariners Predictions
The Mariners are not the same high-volume team at the plate this season as opposed to last season. Despite having 2023 All-Star centerfielder Julio Rodriguez, the rest of the roster hasn't accounted for that same production.
The Mariners are ranked seventh in the AL in runs accounted for (491), 12th in hits accounted for (850), seventh in home runs accounted for (129), seventh in stolen bases (74), fifth in walks accounted for (358), 14th in strikeouts (1068), 12th in batting average (.235), 10th in on-base percentage (.313) and 10th in slugging percentage (.398).
The Mariners have four players this season who have accounted for a batting average of more than .250. Rodriguez is first on the team in runs accounted for (64), hits accounted for (110), and home runs accounted for (17). Shortstop J.P. Crawford might be the most non-power hitter on the team. Crawford has accounted for 59 runs, 94 hits, nine home runs, 36 RBIs, 81 strikeouts, a team-high batting average of .260, a team-high on-base percentage (.374), and a slugging percentage (.404).
The pitching portion of the game is where the Mariners are feared the most. Led by 2023 MLB All-Star selections Luis Castillo and George Kirby, the Mariners are ranked third in the AL in ERA (3.81), fourth in hits allowed (866), fifth in runs allowed (450), third in home runs allowed (118), first in walks allowed (282) and sixth in strikeouts delivered (983). Castillo (2.88 ERA in 131.1 innings pitched) and Kirby (3.43 ERA in 128.2 innings pitched) are the top two starting pitchers on the team.
Kirby is set to be the starting pitcher for the Mariners on Saturday, while Logan Gilbert (3.86 ERA in 130.2 innings pitched) is set to be the starting pitcher on Sunday.
Los Angeles Angels Predictions
While the Mariners have struggled in the batting portion of the game, the Angels are one of the top batting teams in the MLB this season. They can thank elite batters like designated hitter/pitcher Shohei Ohtani and outfielder Mike Trout.
The Angels are ranked third in runs accounted for (539), fourth in hits accounted for (949), third in triple-bases accounted for (18), first in home runs accounted (166), first in walks accounted for (383), 13th in strikeouts encountered (1006), fourth in batting average (.256), second in on-base percentage (.332) and second in slugging percentage (.446).
Before Thursday's first game versus the Mariners, Ohtani was the Angels' leader in almost all major batting categories. Ohtani led the team in runs accounted for (82), hits accounted for (123), home runs accounted for (39), RBIs accounted for (81), walks accounted for (68), a batting average (.307), an on-base percentage (.408), and a slugging percentage (.676).
The Angels have gotten solid production out of right-fielder Hunter Renfroe this season. Renfroe has accounted for 95 hits, 49 runs, 17 home runs, a batting average of .251, and a slugging percentage of .451. Trout has been a high-level batter before recently finding himself on the IL.
Outside of Ohtani, Patrick Sandoval, and a few other starting pitchers, the Angels have struggled at the mound this season. The Angels have some reliable left-handed starting and relieving pitchers, but depth has been a serious issue this season. The Angels are ranked 11th in the AL in ERA (4.43), 10th in hits allowed (908), 12th in runs allowed (522), 12th in home runs allowed (136), and sixth in strikeouts delivered (983).
Reid Detmers (4.35 ERA in 101.1 innings pitched) is set to be the starting pitcher for the Angels on Saturday, while Tyler Anderson (4.98 ERA in 99.1 innings pitched) is set to be the starting pitcher on Sunday.
Mariners vs Angels Over/Under Analysis
Despite being one spot higher in the AL West Divisional standings, the Mariners are 2-4 this season versus the Angels. This is a series that gets the best out of both teams when they face each other. The two teams haven't faced each other since early June. Both teams are completely different than they were two months ago. The Mariners have the edge in pitching and the momentum moving forward. They have shown they can defeat the Angels despite Ohtani having a solid day at the plate. The number of runs scored might be lower than expected in the two-weekend matchups.
Head-to-Head: Seattle Mariners vs Los Angeles Angels
Seattle Mariners | Head-to-Head | Los Angeles Angels |
Scott Servais | Managers | Phil Nevin |
| Leaders |
|
J.P. Crawford (.260) | Batting Avg | Shohei Ohtani (.307) |
Julio Rodriguez & Cal Raleigh (17) | Home Runs | Shohei Ohtani (39) |
Eugenio Suarez (69) | RBIs | Shohei Ohtani (81) |
J.P. Crawford (.374) | OBP | Shohei Ohtani (.408) |
Julio Rodriguez (110) | Hits | Shohei Ohtani (123) |
Logan Golbert & George Kirby (9) | Wins | Shohei Ohtani (9) |
Justin Topa (2.57) | ERA | Carlos Estevez (1.88) |
Luis Castillo (149) | Strikeouts | Shohei Ohtani (156) |
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