Struggling Pirates Look for Split in Two-Game Series with Mariners

The Pacific Northwest will be the site of a Major League Baseball showdown when the Seattle Mariners host the Pittsburgh Pirates at Safeco Field. The current line has Seattle favored at -127, Pittsburgh on +117 and the over/under run total sitting on 8.5.

Entering this game, Pittsburgh has a record of 37-41 overall and 15-22 on the road. The Pirates are 4-6 over their past 10 games played. Seattle entering this game is 39-38 overall and 18-19 at home. The Mariners are 3-7 over their past 10 games played.

Pittsburgh will send Jameson Taillon to the mound. The Pirates right-hander is 1-1 with an ERA of 4.50. Seattle will counter with Wade Miley. The Mariners left-hander is 6-3 with an ERA of 5.28.

Taillon has only reached the fourth inning in both of his past two outings, giving up 4 runs and 8 hits both times. Miley has not pitched since June 12 because of an impingement in his shoulder. In three starts during June prior to his diagnosis, Miley was 1-1 with an ERA of 6.48.

Nelson Cruz has 20 home runs or more in each of his past 8 seasons and hopes to add to that when Seattle hosts Pittsburgh Wednesday. This is the second game of a short two-game set. Cruz belted a two-run home run in Tuesday’s victory of 5-2 by Seattle. He now has 20 on the season.

Cruz has hit 4 home runs with 7 RBIs over his past 5 games. He says avoiding injury is a huge factor in being able to post such consistent numbers at the plate when it comes to power.

Pittsburgh has been struggling of late. The Pirates have lost 15 of their past 20 games. Pittsburgh sits 14 games behind National League Central leader the Chicago Cubs. Gregory Polanco had 2 hits in 3 at bats for Pittsburgh Tuesday after sitting out four straight games with an injured leg.

Seattle second baseman Robinson Cano had 3 hits on Tuesday including a single that knocked in a run to end a drought of nine games without an RBI.

Pittsburgh right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole threw in the bullpen Tuesday the second throwing session from the mound he has had after suffering an injury June 10.

Seattle right-handed pitcher Felix Hernandez threw prior to Tuesday’s game. This was his first throwing session since he injured a calf on May 31.

Prediction: Pittsburgh has struggled of late, but Seattle has not shown that much promise either. Lean on the Pirates here.