The Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox close out an American League series Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park

Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox

Seattle has never dropped 15 consecutive games in franchise history and will likely have a tough time avoiding it against the best team in the AL.  “We just haven’t gotten that big hit in the big time,” said Dustin Axley.  “That’s pretty much all we’re lacking right now.”  The Mariners are now 18-30 on the road overall and have posted an 11-18 mark during daytime contests.  It’s also important to point out that the club is 8-34 when the game-time temperature is 70 degrees or higher, which will definitely be the case today under the extreme head conditions on the East Coast.  Seattle is 16-29 when playing teams with a winning record this year, but 0-10 during the second half of the season.

Mariners starting pitcher Michael Pineda is 8-6 with a 3.24 ERA in 19 starts this season and will be looking for his first victory since July 4.  The right-hander has allowed 12 runs and 13 hits over his last 11 1/3 innings, while also surrendering three home runs.  Pineda’s ERA has risen from 2.58 to 3.24 over that span.  He will be making his 12th road start of the year, bringing in an even 4-4 mark and 3.86 ERA, as opponents are hitting .214 against him.  The rookie will be facing the Red Sox for the first time in his career.

Boston picked up a come-from-behind 3-1 victory last night inside Fenway Park and has won 16 of its last 19 games.  Over that span, the Red Sox have outscored opponents by a 119-75 margin.  All of this recent success has led the club to an MLB-best 15-3 record in July.  Offensively, second baseman Dustin Pedroia and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury have led the charge.  Pedroia is enjoying a 20-game hit streak and Ellsbury is hitting a blistering .413 in his last 17 games, as both respectively sit atop the batting average standings this month.  Boston is 41-25 versus right-handed starters this year.

Red Sox starting pitcher Tim Wakefield is 5-3 with a 4.80 ERA in 21 appearances (12 starts) this season and has received 28 runs of support over his last three outings.  He has managed to tally just a single win over that span, giving up 15 runs (11 earned) and 29 hits in 17 innings of work.  Wakefield has tallied a 3-1 mark and 4.63 ERA in 10 home outings (six starts), as opponents are hitting .247 against him.  In 28 career games (18 starts) versus the Mariners, the veteran has posted a losing 4-10 record and 4.08 ERA.

Bettors will likely back the Mariners due to their 5-2 mark in Sunday contests, while the Red Sox are 1-4 in Wakefield’s last five outings versus the AL West