The Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels close out a weekend series with a fantastic pitching matchup Sunday at Angel Stadium

Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels

Seattle has lost four straight games and will be playing its ninth contest of 19 against the Los Angeles Angels this afternoon.  The Mariners were handed a 9-3 loss Saturday night and are now four games under .500 for the first time since May 20.  The club is well on its way to breaking the franchise record for lowest team ERA prior to the All-Star break, coming in with a 3.22 ERA, as the previous mark was 3.60 set in 2003.  It’s important to note that the franchise has won nine of their last 11 games in the final game before the Midsummer Classic.  Seattle is 12-14 in day games this season, but has proven victorious in nine of its last 15 contests under the sun.

Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez is 8-7 with a 3.22 ERA in 19 starts this season and the club has alternated wins and losses over his last seven outings.  He picked up a no-decision in his last effort, allowing just a single run and four hits over eight frames in a 4-2 road win over the Athletics.  The right-hander has tallied an even 4-4 mark and 3.10 ERA in 10 road outings, registering 69 strikeouts in 69 2/3 frames.  In 21 career starts versus the Angels, Hernandez has posted a losing 4-8 record and 4.18 ERA, which includes three defeats and three no-decisions in his last six tries.

Los Angeles is a season-high seven games over .500 and its 18-6 record since June 13 is the best in baseball.  “This is the team I thought we should have,” said outfielder Torii Hunter.  “I’m happy the way we’re playing right now.  It’s like all cylinders are clicking.”  The Angels pitching staff should receive most of the credit despite the team’s recent offensive outburst, logging a 2.52 ERA over the last 23 contests, as the starting pitchers have held opponents to three earned runs or less in 20 of those games.  Los Angeles has had little trouble at home versus today’s opponent, winning 15 of its last 17 games against the Mariners at Angel Stadium.

Angels starting pitcher Dan Haren is 9-5 with a 2.65 ERA in 14 starts this season and is coming off his best performance of the year.  He tallied a 1-0 complete game shutout over the Tigers at home, giving up just two hits while registering nine strikeouts.  In fact, the right-hander has tossed 16 1/3 shutout innings over his last two starts.  Haren is 4-3 with a 1.80 ERA in nine home games (eight starts), as opponents are hitting just .162 against him.  In 16 lifetime starts versus the Mariners. he brings in an 8-4 mark and 2.56 ERA, including a no-decision effort on May 19 in Seattle.

Bettors will be interested in backing the Angels due to their 10-2 mark versus right-handed starters, while the Mariners are 32-73 as a road underdog