The Tampa Bay Rays and the Seattle Mariners are set to conclude their three-game series in Seattle on Wednesday afternoon. The Mariners have faced difficulties in the second half of the season, losing their lead in the AL West Division. They now find themselves in a position where finishing strong is essential to catch up with the Astros. Meanwhile, the Rays are languishing in fourth place in the AL East Division and have fallen out of playoff contention after qualifying for the postseason eight times since 2008. The starting pitchers for Wednesday’s match will be Rays’ left-hander Tyler Alexander (5-3, 5.22) against Mariners’ right-hander Luis Castillo (10-12, 3.66), with the first pitch scheduled for 4:10 pm EST.
Rays Rely on Alexander’s Resilience
The Tampa Bay Rays are now positioned as spoilers in the closing weeks of the 2024 season, with their playoff chances sitting at a mere two percent, according to ESPN. Throughout the season, they have dealt with a string of injuries, particularly affecting their pitching staff. The team opted to trade away starting pitchers Zach Eflin and Aaron Civale at the trade deadline, signaling a focus on rebuilding for the 2025 season. In their recent game, the Rays struggled, losing 5-1 while striking out 13 times and mustering only two hits.
*This article was prepared prior to the conclusion of Tuesday night’s game.
For Wednesday’s game, the Rays will turn to Tyler Alexander, who has transitioned from the bullpen to a starting role. Alexander has made 17 appearances this year, accumulating a 5-3 record with a 5.22 ERA and a WHIP of 1.30. Out of his seven starts, he has recorded just one quality outing. In his most recent appearance, he pitched 4.1 innings against the Dodgers, giving up five hits and three runs.
Key Injuries: SP Zack Littell, SP Shane Baz, RP Jacob Waguespack, RP Pete Fairbanks, and 2B Richie Palacios are sidelined.
Castillo Aims to Steady Mariners’ Ship
The Seattle Mariners have seen a sharp decline in performance during the second half of the season, allowing their rivals, the Houston Astros, to overtake them in the standings. Despite possessing one of the strongest starting rotations in the American League, they now find themselves fighting to maintain a winning record. This slump has led to the dismissal of manager Scott Servais, with former catcher Dan Wilson stepping in to lead the team in hopes of reigniting their playoff aspirations. The Mariners managed a 5-1 victory on Monday night, highlighted by a three-run homer from Randy Arozarena against his old team.
*This article was prepared prior to the conclusion of Tuesday night’s game.
The Mariners are looking to build momentum with Luis Castillo on the mound for Wednesday’s game. Castillo currently holds a 10-12 record over 27 starts this season, including 17 quality starts. He has allowed 143 hits across 159.2 innings, with 22 home runs among those hits. In his last outing, he pitched six innings, allowing six hits and three runs, contributing to a 6-5 extra-innings victory against the Giants.
Key Injuries: SP Taylor Dollard and SS JP Crawford are out.
Analyzing the Best Bets for Rays vs. Mariners
The Mariners find themselves in a critical position and must perform well to keep pace with the Astros in the AL West Division. Wednesday’s matchup appears favorable for Seattle, with Castillo taking the mound against the Rays’ Alexander. Castillo’s impressive record of 17 quality starts this season and the Mariners’ success in three of his last five outings highlight his effectiveness. In contrast, Alexander’s performance has been more prone to contact, reflected in an ERA exceeding five and a WHIP of 1.30. He has also surrendered 17 home runs in just 81 innings pitched this year. The Mariners are in a must-win mindset and are expected to come out strong behind Castillo.
