Los Angeles @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 25, 2018 ) LA Dodgers 0, Seattle 2

The Seattle Mariners won five of seven encounters against a pair of American League West heavyweights to conclude their 10-game road trip with plenty of optimism. The Mariners (70-52) hope to continue their good fortune Friday when they begin a six-game homestand with the opener of a three-game series versus the Los Angeles Dodgers (65-57).

"It's not going to get any easier, but we're starting to play with our confidence again and have some swag to our team," Seattle manager Scott Servais said after Dee Gordon belted a rare homer in the 12th inning in Wednesday's 2-0 triumph over Oakland. Jean Segura recorded a four-hit performance for the second time in three outings for the Mariners, who reside 4 1/2 games behind first-place Houston and 2 1/2 behind the second-place Athletics. Los Angeles also required 12 innings to emerge victorious in its last outing, with Brian Dozier's sacrifice fly helping the club remain hot on the heels of National League West-leading Arizona with a 4-3 victory versus San Francisco on Wednesday. Yasiel Puig likely will not be on the field for the series opener -- pending appeal -- as the outfielder received a two-game suspension and undisclosed fine for fighting and inciting a bench-clearing incident in Tuesday's tilt.


TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network; SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (5-4, 3.32 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Wade LeBlanc (7-2, 3.80)

Buehler has answered allowing five runs in two of three starts by permitting three total over his last three contests, splitting the first two of the latter stretch before being saddled with a hard-luck no-decision Saturday. In that outing, the 24-year-old scattered four hits and struck out six over seven scoreless innings at hitter-friendly Coors Field in Colorado. Buehler also said he was no worse for wear after a collision with teammate Max Muncy and is expected to take the mound for his first career encounter with Seattle.

LeBlanc posted his first win since July 20 on Saturday after yielding two runs on three hits in five innings of a 3-2 triumph at Houston. The 34-year-old returns to the comforts of Safeco Field, where he sports a 6-1 mark with a 3.50 ERA in 12 games (10 starts) this season. LeBlanc, however, hasn't been as fortunate when facing the Dodgers, against whom he is 1-7 with a 4.18 ERA in 11 career meetings (nine starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Los Angeles IF Manny Machado is batting 13-for-42 with five runs scored in his last 11 games overall and 5-for-15 versus Seattle this season.

2. Mariners RHP Edwin Diaz is one save shy of the franchise record of 48 set by Fernando Rodney in 2014.

3. Seattle has won only three of 10 interleague games this season.

PREDICTION: Mariners 4, Dodgers 2