The Oakland Athletics (1-1) will wrap up their opening series of the regular season with a pivotal game against the Seattle Mariners (1-1) on Sunday. After starting the season with a disappointing loss, the Athletics bounced back with a commanding 7-0 victory over the Mariners on Friday. Their matchup on Saturday will set the stage for this final encounter. The Athletics will be missing five pitchers, along with position players Zack Gelof and Brett Harris. Seattle will also face challenges, missing four pitchers and left fielder Cade Marlowe. Fans can check out our detailed Athletics vs. Mariners prediction to get insights into this rivalry.
This article was prepared before the Saturday game between the two teams.
Pitching Dominance: Athletics’ Early Season Strength
The Athletics have displayed impressive pitching statistics, ranking among the top 12 in four key categories. They lead the league in quality starts with two, hold the fourth-best ERA at 1.59, and are fifth in batting average allowed at .179. Luis Severino shines with a perfect 0.00 ERA in his first start, while Jeffrey Springs stands out with one win and nine strikeouts. On Sunday, JP Sears will take the mound, bringing his 2024 record of 11-13, an ERA of 4.38, 137 strikeouts, and a 1.22 WHIP into the game.
Offensively, the Athletics have scored nine runs, ranking them seventh in the league. They boast a slugging percentage of .478, which puts them ninth, while their team batting average is .224, landing them at fifteenth. Tyler Soderstrom has emerged as a standout player, leading the team with two home runs, three RBIs, four hits, and an impressive .500 on-base percentage and batting average. In their first two games, the Athletics have combined for five home runs and two doubles.
Mariners Seek Offensive and Pitching Improvements
The Seattle Mariners are currently struggling at the plate and on the mound. They sit at 15th in on-base percentage at .309, 19th in runs scored with four, 24th in slugging percentage at .286, and 26th in batting average at .179. Jorge Polanco has been the most productive bat for Seattle, leading the team with one home run, two RBIs, four hits, and a notable on-base percentage of .667. Randy Arozarena has also contributed with another home run. So far, the Mariners have only two home runs as their extra-base hits through two games.
On the pitching front, Seattle ranks third in quality starts with one, holds the 11th position in WHIP at 1.17, and is 19th in ERA at 4.50. Logan Gilbert leads the team with a 1.29 ERA and eight strikeouts. Trent Thornton has secured the only win for Seattle this season. Bryan Woo will start on Sunday, bringing a 2024 record of 9-3, an ERA of 2.89, 101 strikeouts, and a 0.90 WHIP to the mound.
Best Bets for Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners
The Mariners will be counting on Bryan Woo as they conclude their series against the Athletics. The 25-year-old right-hander had a successful season last year with nine wins in twelve decisions, maintaining a 2.89 ERA, 101 strikeouts, and a 0.90 WHIP. Woo has faced the Athletics four times previously, achieving a 3-0 record with a remarkable 0.89 ERA and 23 strikeouts. Despite a slow start at the plate for Seattle, they are expected to show improvement against the Athletics’ starting pitcher, JP Sears. Key players such as Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh, J.P. Crawford, and Victor Robles are anticipated to deliver significant performances on Sunday.
Seeking a Second Opinion?
For another perspective on this matchup, check out Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners Prediction from Statsalt, our partner site.
