Baltimore @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 28, 2018 ) Seattle 4, Baltimore 2

The Seattle Mariners have 25 games to make up a big deficit in the American League wild-card race, a stretch that begins with Monday's opener of a three-game series with the visiting Baltimore Orioles. The Mariners capped a 4-5 road trip with an 8-2 loss to Oakland on Sunday to sink 5 1/2 games back in the chase for the second wild-card.

"Disappointing way to finish the series," Seattle manager Scott Servais told reporters Sunday. "Big win last night, obviously big sway game today. Where we're at in the standings - if you could pull this one out - but we didn't get enough going offensively to make that happen." Fifteen of Seattle's final 25 games are at home and 12 of the 25 are against teams currently in last place, including the Orioles, whom the Mariners swept four straight on the road in June. Baltimore was outscored 23-7 in losing all three at Kansas City to begin its road trip. It turns to rookie Josh Rogers in Monday's series opener opposite Erasmo Ramirez, who is trying to bounce back from a dismal outing in his last time out.

TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), ROOT Sports Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles LH Josh Rogers (1-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Erasmo Ramirez (1-3, 6.28)

Rogers won his first career outing Tuesday at home against Toronto. He gave up three runs and seven hits while walking one and striking out two in the 12-5 triumph. The 24-year-old Louisville product, who was acquired in the Zach Britton trade with the New York Yankees near the trade deadline, was 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA in five starts at Triple-A Norfolk before his promotion.

Ramirez was rocked for seven runs and nine hits in three innings of a loss at San Diego on Wednesday. He was 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA over his previous three starts. The Nicaraguan owns a 2.98 ERA in 17 career games (seven starts) against the Orioles.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners RF Mitch Haniger owns a 14-game hitting streak.

2. Orioles 2B Jonathan Villar has five home runs in 29 games with Baltimore after recording six in 87 games with the Milwaukee Brewers to start the year.

3. Seattle DH Nelson Cruz needs two RBIs to become the 12th active player with 1,000.

PREDICTION: Mariners 6, Orioles 4