Tampa Bay Rays @ Seattle Mariners (M.Garza @ C.Lee)
The Mariners are in the midst of some turmoil which has reflected on their recent play, losing 8 of their last 10- including a current 4 game losing streak. They swept Baltimore in 3 the series prior to this lowly stretch. One (+) for Seattle is the return of the huge off-season arm acquisition of Cliff Lee who is back in the American League after half a year with the Phillies. He didn't allow a run vs. a potent Texas lineup that just got their all-star 2B Kinsler back from an injury, but he was matched by the Rangers starter (C.Lewis) and Seattle ended up losing 2-0 in extras. He gets his chance tonight at his 1st win as a Mariner, but the glitch is that he is facing one of the toughest lineups in the majors, the Tampa Bay Rays. Unfortunately for them, Cliff Lee has had past tendencies to shut the Rays lineup down as they do not hit him well (roster bats .189 vs. Lee). He is also showing no signs of rust, or a need to get comfortable/recover into a groove on the mound as was visible from his last start, where he rolled through the Rangers lineup. Rays starter Matt Garza is one of the best in the majors, but has had considerable trouble with the Mariners lineup and they've hit him well in both Safeco and The Trop. I think Seattle snaps their losing streak tonight.
Seattle Mariners (+100)
Arizona DiamondBacks @ Houston Astros (R.Lopez @ B.Myers)
The Astros are in danger of getting swept at home by an average Diamondbacks team, and to make matters more inexcusable for Houston, AZ's ace Dan Haren did not make an appearance this series. Today, I would suggest that Houston salvages this one and avoid the sweep scenario. The lineup faces D'Backs pitcher Rodrigo Lopez, who these Houston hitters have seen before and have maintained success against. Lopez has pitched once in Minute Maid Park and got tagged pretty badly by the Astros. Houston starter Brett Myers who came over from the Phillies this year has converted back to a starting role after being relegated to closer and middle relief duty for Philadelphia during the title hunt years. He's been ok in this role thus far, and should keep the Astros in this game enough where they can hit around Lopez some and hold a lead.
Houston Astros (-105)
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