PREMIUM
Rogers' ROUND TRIPPER >> Off 2-0 SWEEP (Included Underdog Washington!)
(MLB) Seattle vs. Texas,
Money Line: -156.00 Seattle (Away)
Result: Win
Money Line: -156.00 Seattle (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Seattle Mariners scored four runs in the ninth inning last night to win the series-opener over the Texas Rangers, 6-2. The team's ninth-inning splurge was timely, considering Seattle had scored just seven runs over its previous previous five games. Texas knows more than a little about a lack of scoring too, as the Rangers have scored two or fewer runs nine times this season in opening 7-14. Seattle sits at 10-8 after Friday's win
The pitching matchup: Seattle lefty James Paxton (1-1, 4.57 ERA) gets the nod for the Mariners and will be opposed by Bartolo Colon (0-0, 1.45 ERA), a veteran who apparently has a lot left in his 44-year-old right arm. Paxton entered the season primed for a big campaign after the oft-injured lefty put together his best season in 2017, finishing with career highs in wins, starts (24), innings (136) and strikeouts (156). He was named the AL's Pitcher of the Month in July when he won all six of his starts. Paxton picked up his first victory of the season Monday when he gave up one run and three hits over six innings. He has now given up fa modest five runs over his last three starts (2.65 ERA) after being roughed up for six runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings by Cleveland on March 31. Paxton is 2-4 with a 4.62 ERA in 10 career starts against Texas. Colon took a perfect game into the eighth inning of his last start against the Houston Astros, before allowing a double. That hit was the only one allowed by Colon in 7 2/3 innings but he charged with a run later in the inning for a no-decision in a game decided in 10 innings. Colon is making his fifth appearance (third start) for the Rangers and he has a stellar 0.70 WHIP while holding opponents to a .177 batting average. Colon has been around 'forever' and is 20-12 with a 3.84 ERA in 37 career starts against Seattle.
The pick: The 44-year-old Colon flirted with a perfect game in his last outing, becoming the oldest pitcher to take a no-hitter into the eighth inning since Kansas City's Gaylord Perry at 44 years, 338 days on Aug. 18, 1983, at Baltimore. That said, it's VERY early and I am not buying into Colon having found the "fountain of youth." After all, Colon made 28 starts in 2017 (for Atlanta and Minnesota), posting a 6.48 ERA and 1.59 WHIP, while opponents batted .318 against him. In contrast, see above for a reminder of Paxton's 2017 season and remember he owns a 2.65 ERA over his last three outings. Make Seattle an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: Seattle lefty James Paxton (1-1, 4.57 ERA) gets the nod for the Mariners and will be opposed by Bartolo Colon (0-0, 1.45 ERA), a veteran who apparently has a lot left in his 44-year-old right arm. Paxton entered the season primed for a big campaign after the oft-injured lefty put together his best season in 2017, finishing with career highs in wins, starts (24), innings (136) and strikeouts (156). He was named the AL's Pitcher of the Month in July when he won all six of his starts. Paxton picked up his first victory of the season Monday when he gave up one run and three hits over six innings. He has now given up fa modest five runs over his last three starts (2.65 ERA) after being roughed up for six runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings by Cleveland on March 31. Paxton is 2-4 with a 4.62 ERA in 10 career starts against Texas. Colon took a perfect game into the eighth inning of his last start against the Houston Astros, before allowing a double. That hit was the only one allowed by Colon in 7 2/3 innings but he charged with a run later in the inning for a no-decision in a game decided in 10 innings. Colon is making his fifth appearance (third start) for the Rangers and he has a stellar 0.70 WHIP while holding opponents to a .177 batting average. Colon has been around 'forever' and is 20-12 with a 3.84 ERA in 37 career starts against Seattle.
The pick: The 44-year-old Colon flirted with a perfect game in his last outing, becoming the oldest pitcher to take a no-hitter into the eighth inning since Kansas City's Gaylord Perry at 44 years, 338 days on Aug. 18, 1983, at Baltimore. That said, it's VERY early and I am not buying into Colon having found the "fountain of youth." After all, Colon made 28 starts in 2017 (for Atlanta and Minnesota), posting a 6.48 ERA and 1.59 WHIP, while opponents batted .318 against him. In contrast, see above for a reminder of Paxton's 2017 season and remember he owns a 2.65 ERA over his last three outings. Make Seattle an 8* play.
