Seattle Mariners vs Detroit Tigers Picks and Predictions August 7th 2024

Mariners look to solve Tigers’ Tarik Skubal

Wednesday’s Tigers vs. Mariners game has a first pitch set for 9:40 PM ET from T-Mobile Park in Seattle. The Tigers are 54-60, and they are starting Tarik Skubal. The Mariners are 1st in the AL West with a record of 59-55 and they are starting George Kirby. Seattle is favored on the money line, with their odds sitting at -135 compared to the Tigers at +115. The over/under line is currently 6.5 runs.

RSNW is carrying this game on TV, and the Mariners will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak. In the AL Central, the Tigers are 4th, and they are +211 on the run line compared to the Mariners at +171.

Detroit vs. Seattle Key Information

• Teams: Tigers at Mariners
• Where: T-Mobile Park Seattle
• Date: Wednesday, August 7th
• Betting Odds SEA -135 | DET +115 O/U 6.5

The Tigers Can Win If…

Tarik Skubal gets the start for the Tigers today as he faces the Mariners on the road. Skubal has made 22 starts this year and has a record of 12-4. His ERA for the season is an impressive 2.58, along with a WHIP of .95. Skubal’s last outing came on August 2nd, where he took the loss, giving up five earned runs in 6 1/3 innings of work. Before that outing, he had won two straight starts. Skubal has been much better at home this year, coming in with a 7-1 record and 2.43 ERA compared to 5-3 with a 3.04 ERA on the road.

As a team, the Tigers are averaging just 4.2 runs per game, which is 22nd in the league. They are also near the bottom of the league in most offensive categories, including team batting average, on-base percentage, and OPS. Detroit’s team slugging percentage of .381 is 19th in the league, and they are 18th in the league in home runs.

Riley Greene has been the Tigers’ top power threat this season, as his 17 home runs are 14th in the league. Greene is also batting .264 for the season and is 1st on the team with 51 RBIs. Over his last two games, Parker Meadows has gone 4/9 with a home run and three RBIs. Bligh Madris has also been swinging a hot bat, going 4/12 over his last four games.

• The Tigers are 3-7 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Tigers are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• Detroit has an over/under record of 5-5 in their last ten games.
• The Tigers have an average of 3.0 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Tigers are 7-3
• Looking back across the Tigers last five games as the favorite, they are 4-1
• Detroit has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Tigers have averaged 4.6 runs per game on offense

The Mariners Can Win If…

Seattle is sending right-hander George Kirby to the mound today vs. the Tigers. He has made 23 starts this season and has a record of 8-7 with a 3.04 ERA. Kirby’s WHIP for the season is an impressive 1.00, and opponents are batting .224 off him this year. In his 23 appearances, Kirby has turned in 15 quality starts. Looking back at his last outing, Kirby finished with a no-decision vs. the Red Sox, giving up two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings of work. Before that, he had won two straight starts.

Seattle’s offense has been one of the worst in the league this season, averaging just 3.9 runs per game, which is 28th in the league. They have been even worse at home, scoring just 3.5 runs per game. As a team, they are batting just .218 and have the most strikeouts in the league. One bright spot has been their ability to draw walks, as they are 4th in the league in that category.

Cal Raleigh leads the Mariners with 67 RBIs and has 23 homers, which is 8th in the league. Julio Rodriguez is batting .263 and has 11 homers, while Randy Arozarena is 2nd on the team with 39 RBIs but is batting just .216 for the season. Over his last six games, Luke Raley is 4/15 with two homers, and Mitch Haniger is also coming off a good stretch, going 5/17 with two homers.

• The Mariners are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Mariners are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Seattle has an over/under record of 7-3 in their last ten games.
• The Mariners have an average of 4.0 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Mariners are 5-5
• Looking back across the Mariners last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• Seattle has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Mariners have averaged 6.0 runs per game on offense

The Lean

For an over/under pick, our lean is on the over, as this is projected to be the 4th lowest-scoring game of the day, but we have the Mariners taking care of business at home. Seattle starter George Kirby has the 5th best strikeout projection among today’s starters, and he also has the 7th best chance to pick up a win. On the other side, Tarik Skubal has the 6th best strikeout projection among today’s starters.

Tarik Skubal’s rise to prominence has been one of the most compelling stories in Major League Baseball this season. The Detroit Tigers’ left-hander has dazzled fans and analysts alike with his stellar performances, earning his first All-Star selection and emerging as a strong contender for the American League Cy Young Award. As Skubal prepares to face the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park, all eyes are on whether the Mariners can solve the puzzle of this elite pitcher. The stakes are high as both teams fight for playoff positioning in their respective divisions.

Tarik Skubal: A Season to Remember

Emerging as an Elite Pitcher

Tarik Skubal’s 2024 season has been nothing short of extraordinary. With a 12-4 record and a 2.57 ERA, he leads the American League in ERA and is tied for first in strikeouts with 162, alongside the Chicago White Sox’s Garrett Crochet. His consistent dominance on the mound has not only placed him in contention for the prestigious Cy Young Award but also has him competing for the pitching Triple Crown, a rare feat in baseball.

Accolades and Recognition

In addition to his on-field achievements, Skubal has been enshrined in Seattle University’s Hall of Fame, a testament to his impact both as a professional and during his collegiate career. This adds a personal connection to his upcoming matchup against the Mariners, as a large contingent of Redhawks fans is expected to cheer him on.

Handling Pressure with Poise

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch has praised Skubal’s ability to thrive under pressure. “It’s one thing to pitch when you sort of have upside,” Hinch remarked. “There’s another thing to pitch when you have expectations. If Tarik just stacks good outing after good outing, the numbers will take care of themselves.” Skubal’s performance is crucial to the Tigers’ success, as they expect to win on days he takes the mound.

A Challenging Matchup: Mariners vs. Tigers

Upcoming Game Analysis

Skubal’s next test comes against the Seattle Mariners, a team battling for the top spot in the AL West. The Mariners, led by right-hander George Kirby (8-7, 3.04 ERA), are determined to challenge Skubal’s dominance. While Kirby has struggled against Detroit in the past, with a 6.43 ERA in three starts, the Mariners are hoping to turn the tide in this crucial matchup.

Previous Performances

Skubal is coming off a rare loss, having allowed five runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings against the Kansas City Royals. This ended his four-game winning streak, but his track record in Seattle remains strong, boasting a 1-0 record and a 3.60 ERA in previous starts at T-Mobile Park. For the Mariners, building on Skubal’s recent struggles could be key to securing a victory.

Recent Game Highlights and Key Players

Tigers Take the Series Opener

In the series opener, the Tigers secured a 4-2 victory over the Mariners. Rookie pitcher Keider Montero impressed with six innings of one-run ball, while Parker Meadows made significant contributions, including a home run and two RBIs. Meadows’ performance is particularly noteworthy as he recently returned from a month-long stint on the injured list due to a strained hamstring.

Parker Meadows: A Rising Star

Parker Meadows has quickly become a player to watch. In his return from injury, Meadows has consistently delivered at the plate, with two hits in each of his last two games. “I think the biggest part of that, obviously, he’s getting better pitches to hit,” said Tigers manager A.J. Hinch. “His rehab was good, and his reintroduction back to this level has been very fun to see.”

Mariners’ Resilience and Challenges

Despite the loss, the Mariners continue to display resilience. Luke Raley homered for Seattle, and the team remains just a half-game ahead of the Houston Astros in the AL West standings. However, injuries pose a challenge, with Justin Turner suffering a scare after being hit by a pitch. Fortunately, X-rays on Turner’s hand were negative, and manager Scott Servais remains optimistic about his availability.

Strategic Implications and Standings

Playoff Implications for the Mariners

As the Mariners navigate this crucial series, maintaining their lead in the AL West is paramount. With the Houston Astros in close pursuit, every game counts in their quest for a division title. The matchup against Skubal presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Seattle to prove its mettle against one of the league’s best pitchers.

The Tigers’ Playoff Push

For the Tigers, Skubal’s starts are pivotal in their push for playoff contention. His ability to anchor the pitching staff and deliver strong performances will be key to Detroit’s hopes of climbing the standings. The team’s confidence in Skubal is clear, and they are counting on his consistency to propel them forward.

Fan Engagement and Local Connections

Skubal’s Seattle Connection

The narrative of Skubal’s journey resonates deeply with Seattle fans, given his ties to Seattle University. The upcoming game at T-Mobile Park is not just another start for Skubal but a homecoming of sorts, where he is likely to receive a warm reception from the local crowd.

The Excitement of High-Stakes Baseball

With both teams vying for playoff positions, the excitement surrounding this matchup is palpable. Fans can anticipate a thrilling showdown between two talented pitchers and teams hungry for success.

Conclusion

As Tarik Skubal takes the mound against the Seattle Mariners, the stage is set for a captivating clash of talent and strategy. Both teams have much at stake, with the Mariners aiming to hold their lead in the AL West and the Tigers looking to capitalize on Skubal’s brilliance for their playoff aspirations. The battle at T-Mobile Park promises to be a thrilling chapter in this season’s baseball narrative, capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike.

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