The Seattle Mariners and Oakland A’s continue their three-game series in Oakland on Tuesday night. The Mariners are eager for series victories, as they trail the first-place Houston Astros with less than 30 games remaining in the season. The Oakland A’s have a chance to play the role of spoilers in these final weeks, as the AL West Division title race tightens. The pitching matchup for Tuesday night features right-handed pitcher Luis Castillo (11-12, 3.65 ERA) from the Mariners against the A’s righty JT Ginn (0-0, 5.19 ERA). The first pitch is set for 9:40 pm EST.
Mariners Rely on Castillo’s Experience
The Seattle Mariners find themselves in a precarious position as they navigate the final stretch of the season. After losing their grip on the AL West Division lead, they are now in a position where every game counts. To secure a playoff spot for the second time in three seasons, the Mariners must consistently win series and hope for favorable outcomes from other teams. Over the weekend, the Mariners faced disappointment, dropping a critical series to the last-place Los Angeles Angels. They squandered an opportunity for a series win, falling 3-2 on Sunday. In the series opener against Oakland, the Mariners let a 3-0 lead slip away, losing 5-4 on a ninth-inning walk-off home run. Cal Raleigh contributed with a two-run homer in that game, but it was not enough.
The Mariners will look to veteran Luis Castillo to help turn their fortunes around in game two of this series. With a record of 11-12 and a 3.65 ERA across 28 starts, Castillo has been a consistent performer, notching 17 quality starts this season. He has given up 149 hits over 165.1 innings, including 23 home runs, while striking out 167 batters. In his most recent outing against the Rays, Castillo pitched 6.2 innings, allowing six hits and two runs, while striking out four batters in a 6-2 victory.
Key Injuries: SP Taylor Dollard, RP Yimi Garcia, RP Jackson Kowar, and LF Sam Haggerty are sidelined.
A’s Hope for Improvement from Ginn
The Oakland A’s have managed to move past the Los Angeles Angels to occupy the fourth spot in the AL West Division. As they continue their journey to rebuild, the A’s are gearing up for their first season in Sacramento in 2024. Over the past weekend, they faced the Texas Rangers, winning one of three games. The A’s came from behind to win the first game but lost narrowly in the second and fell 6-4 in the series finale, which went into extra innings. In the series opener against the Mariners, Shea Langeliers shone brightly, hitting two home runs, including a dramatic walk-off shot that sealed a 5-4 victory for Oakland.
For game two, the A’s will turn to JT Ginn, who has transitioned from a reliever to a starter. Ginn has yet to record a decision in his three appearances this season, which includes one start. He has allowed five hits over 8.2 innings, with two home runs surrendered. In his last outing, a start against the Mariners, Ginn pitched five innings, yielding four hits and four runs, including two long balls.
Key Injuries: SS Max Muncy, RP Austin Adams, RP Gerson Moreno, LF Esteury Ruiz, and RP Scott Alexander are unavailable.
Best Bets for Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics
The Mariners, despite their recent struggles, are in a must-win scenario, making the run line an appealing option in this matchup. Facing Ginn, a pitcher who has shown vulnerability in his transition to starting, could provide the Mariners with an opportunity to capitalize. Castillo’s impressive track record, including 17 quality starts this season and a 3.00 ERA against the A’s, bodes well for Seattle’s chances. In previous encounters, he has maintained a 3.38 ERA with 41 strikeouts against Oakland. While concerns about home runs linger, Castillo’s capability to limit scoring chances will be key. The A’s may have a potent offense, but with a team ERA of 4.29, they could struggle against a focused Castillo on the mound.
