The set-up: The Los Angeles Angels were eliminated from playoff consideration earlier this week and the team has continued to spiral downward. LA will wrap-up the 2017 season with a three-game home series with Seattle, having lost nine of its last 11 games. Seattle also had its hopes of ending a 15-season playoff drought before it fell out of the wild-card derby because of its own swoon. The Mariners lost eight of nine games in a pivotal stretch before recovering to take two of three from the Oakland A's to open the final week of the season Monday through Wednesday.

The pitching matchup: Marco Gonzales (1-1 & 6.25 ERA) takes the mound for Seattle and Tyler Skaggs (2-6 & 4.48 ERA) for Los Angeles. Gonzales is making his seventh start for the Mariners but his first since beating Texas back on Sep 12. Gonzales has made two relief appearances since his last start (three scoreless innings) but he's been very ineffective over his 10 appearances in 2017, as he owns a 1.78 WHIP and .360 BAA to go along with his 6.25 ERA. Gonzales started against the Angels on Aug. 11 and gave up one run (on a homer) and four hits in 4 1/3 innings while drawing a no-decision (lone appearance against LA in his brief career). Skaggs received a no-decision in his last start when he allowed four runs on six hits in five innings against the Houston Astros. He's made 15 starts in 2017 with LA going 7-8. He did turn in a strong outing against Seattle on Aug. 10, giving up five hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings of a no-decision. Skaggs is 1-2 with a 4.67 ERA in six career starts against the Mariners (teams are 3-3).

The pick: The 78-81 Angels need a sweep of the Mariners to avoid their third losing campaign in five seasons. Let's not get ahead of ourselves but the Mariners may not put up much of a fight this weekend. Surely, Gonzales should be no trouble of the LA bats. Make the Angels an 8* play.