Series Preview: Mariners at Red Sox (4/10-4/12)
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by user Tylersalt
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The Seattle Mariners (2-1) finally get out of the Ohio snow and head east to take on the Boston Red Sox (3-3) for a three-game set. The Mariners haven't played an official game since April 4th, as their entire second series with the Cleveland Indians was snowed out. The Red Sox head back to Boston for their home opener, having played .500 ball over their road trip to Kansas City and Texas. This series promises to be a good one, as it features the best pitching matchup so far in the young season on Wednesday. Since the Mariners missed all those games, it's hard to get a read on them, but the little I've seen of them so far is promising for their fans. So far what I know about the Red Sox is that their offense is not clicking yet in the slightest. J.D. Drew and Dustin Pedroia are the only offensive regulars who are hitting consistently at all, but David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez both showed signs of waking up out of their early-season doldrums Sunday night in Arlington.
Game 1
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Weaver makes his first start with Seattle fresh off a fantastic postseason run with the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. He has had some success against Boston in his career, but has not faced them in the several years since he left the Yankees for the National League. Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, and Jason Varitek all have multiple home runs off of him in their careers.
Beckett started off the 2007 season on the right track, earning the win against Kansas City in the second game of the year. He pitched five strong, only giving up one run. Josh's performance this year figures to directly correlate with how the Red Sox end up. Beckett has not faced the Mariners too many times in his career, but Richie Sexson has gone 3-7 against him in his career. Ichiro is only 1-7 in his career against Beckett, and Adrian Beltre is merely 3-14 with a walk and 6 strikeouts.
Game 2
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This is that aforementioned "best pitching matchup of the season so far." Both Hernandez and Matsuzaka dazzled in their 2007 debuts, each getting the win and striking out double digits. If either or both of these two pitches like they did in their first starts, this could be a quick game. Offense should definitely be at a premium in this one.
No current Red Sox hitter has more than 1 hit in their career against King Felix. Ortiz and Mike Lowell are the only ones to drive in runs; Lowell has the only home run. Obviously, the only Mariners player to have ever faced Dice-K is Ichiro -- he is a career .235 hitter against Matsuzaka with 1 HR and 4 RBI. These guys could very well both be throwing bullets out there... this should be real fun to watch.
Game 3
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Washburn is 3-3 in 10 starts in his career against Boston, with a 4.66 ERA. He actually pitched fairly well against Oakland on the 3rd, giving up 2 ER on 3 hits over 6 in the no-decision. Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis, and Coco Crisp all have solid career numbers against Washburn, while he has absolutely owned J.D. Drew (0-6, 2 K in his career). He faced Boston twice last year, getting a no decision in a win at home and losing at Fenway Park.
Normally when knuckleballers take the loss, it means that they got shelled. Not so a few days ago with Wakefield, who pitched very strong for 6 innings, only giving up 3 hits and 1 ER. Just like last season, the Red Sox just could not give Timmy any run support, as they were shut out by Texas that night. Wake is only 3-8 in his career against Seattle, but he has 3 complete games, including a shutout. His ERA in 23 games (13 starts) is 4.17 with a 1.50 WHIP.
