MLB Picks: Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox

The Seattle Mariners (50-56) and Boston Red Sox (64-44) will continue a three-game American League series Wednesday night at Fenway Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET

Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox have won seven consecutive home games against the Seattle Mariners

Seattle has dropped three of its last four games, including an 8-2 setback to Boston as +170 road underdogs Tuesday, while pushing up against the betting total of 10. The Mariners are now 8.5 games out of the AL Wild Card race with two months remaining in the 2013 MLB campaign. Offensively, third baseman Kyle Seager continues to perform at a high level at the plate, as he’s hit .389 this month. Seattle is 4-8 as road underdogs of +125 to +150 this season, with the OVER going 9-2-1 in that situation.

Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma (10-4, 2.87 ERA) has won three games in a row, including an 8-2 home victory over the Minnesota Twins last time out, as he allowed four hits over six shutout frames. The right-hander is 5-3 with a 3.34 ERA in 10 road games, surrendering 10 home runs in 64.2 combined frames. Iwakuma didn’t earn a decision in a 11-8 home loss to the Red Sox in his only career start against them on July 9 at Safeco Field.

Boston has won three of its last four games, while the UNDER is 2-1-1 in that span. The Red Sox are a half-game behind the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East standings, but the clubhouse remains confident with one of the best offenses in baseball. “We swung the bats great,” commented Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia. He has played a major part in the club’s seven-game home winning streak in this series—hitting .407 over that span. Boston is 11-6 at home when the betting total is 8 to 8.5, with the OVER going 9-8 in those 17 opportunities.

Red Sox starting pitcher John Lackey (7-8, 3.19 ERA) has dropped back-to-back efforts, including a 6-0 road defeat to the Baltimore Orioles last time out, as he allowed five runs and nine hits over 6.1 frames. The right-hander is 4-2 with a 1.90 ERA in seven home games, issuing seven walks and striking out 50 batters in 47.1 combined innings. In 30 games versus the Mariners, Lackey has compiled a 15-10 record and 3.61 ERA.