The Seattle Mariners host the Detroit Tigers on Friday night in the opening game of a three-game set at Safeco Field. The Tigers come to town in bad form, having lost eight of their last 11 games, while the Mariners have just six wins in their last 15. <\/p>\n
Detroit Tigers (30-20) at Seattle Mariners (26-27)<\/strong>
\nDate: Friday, May 30, 2014<\/strong>
\nTime: 10:10 PM ET<\/strong>
\nVenue: Safeco Field<\/strong>
\nCity: Seattle Washington<\/strong>
\nO\/U Odds: 7<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: Seattle -110, Detroit +102<\/strong>
\nPitching Matchup: RH Justin Verlander (5-4, 4.04 ERA) at RH Hisashi Iwakuma (3-1, 2.39 ERA)<\/strong>
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The Tigers\u2019 road trip has started out well, splitting a four-game series with the talented Oakland Athletics, and now they\u2019ll look to take care of business in the Pacific Northwest. Justin Verlander has been tabbed for the opener in this series.<\/p>\n
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Verlander has had some struggles of late. His last three starts have been very forgettable, as he\u2019s posted an 8.31 ERA with a 2.13 WHIP, allowing at least five earned runs in each of those outings. His last start was the worst of the bunch as he allowed the Twins to knock him around to the tune of nine runs, six of them earned, on 11 hits, walking three and striking out only one batter in 5 1\/3 innings. In his last three outings, Verlander has more walks (nine) than strikeouts (seven).
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\nHe faced the Mariners twice last season, earning the loss both times as the Tigers were blanked in each contest. His numbers were fine. He went seven innings each time, posting a 3.21 ERA, striking out 18 and allowing 13 hits in those 14 innings.<\/p>\nThe Mariners counter with Hisashi Iwakuma. He\u2019s been a world-beater since coming back from the disabled list. After starting his season a month late, Iwakuma has gone 3-1 with a 2.39 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in five starts in the month of May.<\/p>\n
Interestingly enough, he\u2019s actually been roughed up by the Astros a couple of times. His numbers in his three starts outside of those two meetings with Houston are remarkable: 0.75 ERA, 0.63 WHIP. He\u2019ll look to continue that momentum against a Tigers team currently struggling with the bats.<\/p>\n
Iwakuma actually countered Verlander twice last season, earning the victory each time. In those two starts, he threw a combined 14 shutout innings, allowing only seven hits, walking three and striking out eight.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re getting great value in this one because of the names on the board in this one. The ghost of Justin Verlander allows us to get behind the Mariners at their home ballpark with a virtual ace on the hill at a great price. It\u2019s always hard to fade a top team like the Tigers, but they simply aren\u2019t playing like a top team at the moment. The Mariners are the play.<\/p>\n
The Tigers are 3-7 in Verlander\u2019s last 10 starts versus the Mariners, while the Mariners are 4-1 in Iwakuma\u2019s last five starts as a favorite.<\/p>\n