Seattle @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Jul 27, 2014 ) Baltimore 3, Seattle 2
Wei-Yin Chen dazzled against Seattle in his last outing and looks for another strong performance when the Baltimore Orioles begin a three-game series against the visiting Mariners on Friday. Chen scattered five hits and one walk in eight dominating innings against Seattle on July 24 to stretch his personal winning streak to four games. Baltimore won three of the four contests in that series while holding the offensively challenged Mariners to seven runs.
Seattle acquired center fielder Austin Jackson from Detroit in the three-team deal in which Tampa Bay ace David Price ended up with the Tigers. The Mariners gave up infielder Nick Franklin to the Rays as part of the trade but Franklin was expendable after the offseason signing of second baseman Robinson Cano. Baltimore took two of three from the Los Angeles Angels but lost 1-0 in 13 innings on Thursday to see its lead slip to 1 1/2 games over red-hot Toronto in the American League East.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), MASN2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Roenis Elias (8-8, 4.31 ERA) vs. Orioles LH Wei-Yin Chen (11-3, 3.92)
Elias received a no-decision on Sunday against Baltimore when he gave up one run and four hits in five innings. He is just 1-3 over his last five starts and has pitched less than six innings in the past four outings. Elias is 5-3 with a 3.95 ERA in nine road starts.
Chen has allowed eight runs over 24 2/3 innings during his winning streak. He has issued two or fewer walks in 19 of his 20 starts and has walked only 20 batters all season. Chen is 1-2 with a 3.41 ERA in five career starts against Seattle.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Mariners acquired OF Chris Denorfia from the San Diego Padres for two minor leaguers – OF Abraham Almonte and RHP Stephen Kohlscheen – prior to Thursday’s trade deadline.
2. Baltimore traded minor-leaguer LHP Eduardo Rodriguez – considered one of the top prospects in the organization – to Boston for LHP Andrew Miller.
3. Orioles 1B Chris Davis has missed three consecutive starts due to a stomach virus but did see action in Thursday’s 13-inning loss.
PREDICTION: Orioles 3, Mariners 1