Today : May 08, 2025
Sports
06 May 2025

Athletics Host Mariners In Key AL West Showdown

Jeffrey Springs looks to extend winning streak against Emerson Hancock and Seattle

On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the Oakland Athletics (20-16) will host the Seattle Mariners (20-14) in the second game of a three-game series at Sutter Health Park, with first pitch scheduled for 10:05 p.m. ET. The Athletics, favored at -123, are looking to build on their recent success against a Mariners team that has shown strong offensive capabilities this season.

The Athletics will send Jeffrey Springs (4-3, 4.98 ERA) to the mound, aiming for his fifth win of the year. Springs is coming off a stellar performance where he threw six scoreless innings against the Texas Rangers, allowing just two hits. He has struck out 28 batters over 34 1/3 innings pitched this season and boasts a solid 0.00 ERA against the Mariners in one appearance this year, where he held them to a .150 batting average.

Meanwhile, Emerson Hancock (1-1, 6.62 ERA) will take the hill for the Mariners. Hancock has struggled this season, allowing a .347 batting average against him and posting a 6.62 ERA across 17 2/3 innings. In his last outing, he surrendered three earned runs on nine hits against the Los Angeles Angels. Hancock will need to find his rhythm against an Athletics lineup that ranks sixth in Major League Baseball with 46 home runs and a .256 batting average.

The Athletics have had a solid start to the season, winning nine of their 13 games as favorites, translating to a 69.2% success rate. They’ve also shown a knack for scoring, with 157 runs this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game. Their slugging percentage of .422 ranks seventh in the league, and they have demonstrated patience at the plate with the fifth-best strikeout rate of 7.4 per game.

Key players for the Athletics include Tyler Soderstrom, who has hit nine home runs and driven in 25 RBIs, and Jacob Wilson, who leads the team with a .333 batting average and has 120 hits this season. Brent Rooker also adds power to the lineup with nine home runs of his own.

The Mariners, on the other hand, enter this matchup looking to rebound after suffering a loss to the Texas Rangers that snapped a six-game winning streak. They currently lead the American League West division, with a winning percentage of .588. Their offense has been prolific, ranking eighth in the league with 174 runs scored, averaging 5.1 runs per game.

Jorge Polanco has been a standout performer for the Mariners, leading the team with a .380 batting average and 26 RBIs. Cal Raleigh provides additional firepower, having hit 12 home runs so far this season. The Mariners rank fourth in the league with 49 home runs, showcasing their ability to drive the ball out of the park.

As both teams prepare for this pivotal matchup, the stakes are high. A win for the Athletics could position them closer to the top of the division, while the Mariners will look to maintain their lead. The matchup promises to be an exciting one, with two teams that have shown they can score runs and make plays.

Fans can catch the action live on NBC Sports California and ROOT Sports Northwest, with streaming available on Fubo. The game is set to be a thrilling encounter as both teams vie for crucial victories in the early stages of the season.

In summary, the Athletics and Mariners are set for a showdown that could shift the dynamics of the AL West. With both teams riding the momentum of their recent performances, expect an intense battle on the diamond.