Seattle @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Jun 23, 2019 ) Baltimore 3, Seattle 13
Felix Hernandez attempts to post a victory for the first time since April 1 when the Seattle Mariners open a three-game series against the host Baltimore Orioles on Friday. Hernandez has gone 0-6 over his other 12 starts as what probably will be his final season with the team nears an end.
Hernandez missed 3 1/2 months of the season with shoulder woes but no longer mirrors the six-time All-Star who won the 2010 American League Cy Young Award. He will look to help Seattle register its sixth straight victory and eighth in 10 games. Baltimore has lost four consecutive contests and 15 of its last 19 after falling 8-4 to Toronto on Thursday. Rookie center fielder Austin Hays, who robbed Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of a homer and belted his first career shot, is batting .345 in 29 at-bats since being recalled from the minors earlier this month.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (1-6, 6.31 ERA) vs. Orioles LH Richard Bleier (3-0, 5.63)
Hernandez pitched well in his last turn as he gave up one run and five hits over seven innings in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox. The 33-year-old was annihilated for 11 runs - seven earned - and seven hits in two-plus frames of a loss to Houston in his previous turn. Hernandez is 6-4 with a 3.36 ERA in 17 career starts against the Orioles.
Bleier will serve as the "opener" in his first major-league start after making 159 relief appearances over the last four seasons. The 32-year-old hasn't allowed a run over five innings in his last four games, holding the opposition hitless in three of the contests while giving up two hits in the other. Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde told reporters that 29-year-old right-hander Aaron Brooks (5-8, 6.06 ERA) will be the team's second pitcher.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Mariners outscored the Orioles 32-22 in winning three of four at home earlier this season.
2. Baltimore RF Trey Mancini went 4-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs on Thursday and is a scorching 15-for-32 with four homers, four doubles and 16 RBIs over his last seven games.
3. Seattle 2B-OF Shed Long collected three hits and two RBIs in Thursday's 6-5, 11-inning win over Pittsburgh and is batting .354 with three homers in 48 at-bats this month.
PREDICTION: Mariners 10, Orioles 5