The Boston Red Sox are hosting the Seattle Mariners for a three game series this weekend at Fenway Park in Boston. The two teams split a four game series last weekend at Safeco Field in Seattle. Game one of this current series featured a ton of runs, but the Red Sox were eventually able to win the game, 14-10. The Mariners hope to bounce back and even the series on Saturday afternoon.
Both the Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners appear to factor into the playoff picture in 2018. The Mariners are the surprise team in baseball and are challenging the Houston Astros in the American League West. The Red Sox are trailing the New York Yankees by two games in the American League East, but the two teams seem destined to battle all season long. If the season ended today, these two teams would meet in the American League Wild Card game. The Boston Red Sox are -170 over the Seattle Mariners in game two of the series on Saturday.
Red Sox Offense Leads Charge
The Boston Red Sox offense continues to be their biggest reason for success. The Red Sox have scored the second most runs in the Major Leagues, trailing only the red hot Houston Astros. Boston has a lineup full of quality hitters and they routinely work the count until they get a good pitch to hit. Their .261 team batting average ranks second in baseball.
Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez have led the Red Sox offense so far in 2018. Betts ranks near the top of the league in batting average, and is hitting .347 to go along with an on base percentage of .428. Martinez has provided the power for the Red Sox this season and has hit 22 home runs to go along with 56 runs batted in, both lead the team.
The Red Sox will send Eduardo Rodriguez to the mound in game two of the series. Rodriguez is having the best year of his career, and looks to continue his hot start in 2018. The Boston starter is 9-1 with a 3.59 ERA this season and has a decent shot to make the All-Star game. Look for Rodriguez to have another quality start on Saturday, but it will be up to the dominant Red Sox offense to provide some run support.
Mariners Trying to Keep Pace with Astros
The Seattle Mariners have seemingly came out of nowhere this season, and are going to factor into the playoff race this season. After briefly taking the lead in the American League West, the Mariners have now seen the Houston Astros blow past them for the division lead. The Mariners are close, but it remains to be seen if they can keep up with them and challenge for the division title in 2018.
Veteran Nelson Cruz has supplied the power for the Mariners this season, and had a monster game in the series opener. Cruz leads the Mariners with 20 home runs in 2018, and hit two home runs to go along with 7 RBI’s on Friday night. Jean Segura sets the table for the Mariners offense and ranks in the top 5 in batting with a .334 batting average. The Mariners lack a true superstar on offense, but still find a way to score enough runs to win ball games.
The Mariners will send veteran Mike Leake to the mound in game two of the series. Leake, who is in his full first year with the Mariners, is 7-4 with a 4.47 ERA in 2018. Seattle has pitched fairly well so far this season, and Leake will look to cool off the red hot Red Sox offense on Saturday afternoon.
Rodriguez, Boston, Beat Mariners
The Mariners broke out the bats in a big way on Friday night, but it wasn’t enough to beat the Red Sox. Seattle must find a way to slow down the Red Sox offense on Saturday if they are going to win game two of the series. Leake has been solid for the Mariners this year, but is going to have to be at the top of his game on Saturday.
Boston hopes that Eduardo Rodriguez is able to continue his great start on Saturday. The Red Sox offense figures to provide him with plenty of run support. The Red Sox pounded out 20 hits and 14 runs en route to the series opening victory. Look for Boston to stay hot and get a second consecutive victory over the Mariners on Saturday. Bet the Red Sox -170 over the Mariners in game two of the series.