The Seattle Mariners have lost 3 in a row and now sit 4 games back of the second AL Wild Card spot so they had better start winning games. It’s not do or die time but its getting close. Their AL West rival, the Los Angeles Angels, will make the trip to Safeco Field to open a 3-game set tonight and the Mariners have a good chance of taking game 1. Newly acquired Mike Leake, from the Cardinals, will tap the rubber for Seattle. Leake is 8-12, with an ERA of 4.14, but was lights out in his first 9 starts with St. Louis, posting an ERA of 1.91, and in his lone start for Seattle, he is 1-0, with an ERA of 2.57, and a 1.29 WHIP. Mike Scioscia will send Ricky Nolasco to the hill. Nolasco is a dismal 6-12, with an ERA of 5.08, and he is lucky to have that. The Angels are 3-10 in Nolasco’s last 13 starts on 5 days’ rest and Nelson Cruz has been a Nolasco-killer, going 11 for 25 with 4 homers. Both teams need this game but Seattle needs it more and they know it.
TONIGHT’S PICK: SEATTLE MARINERS