Cajun Wings Hot
August 20-22
The Seattle Mariners bring the Cleveland Indians into their sites as the hope to continue their hot streak. The Mariners have won their last three series (Angels, Rays and Twins) and are 58-64 for the year.
Pitching match ups:
Game 123: RHP – Ubaldo Jimenez vs. RHP – Kevin Millwood
Jimenez appears to be a shadow of the dominate pitcher he was with the Rockies. In 2010 Jimenez threw 19 wins for his team while gaining only a 2.88 ERA. This year his ERA coming into this series is 5.62.
Some of that may be the transitions between leagues or the quality of the defense. However the most alarming difference in Jiminez is that he is giving up a lot more fly balls and home runs up, 5.1% in 2010, 9.3% in 2011 to 13.3% so far this season.
Whatever the reason, the M’s have a good chance against him for this game.
- Current Line: 9-12 / 5.62 ERA / 79 BB / 112 SO / 1.63 WHIP
Old man Kevin Millwood takes the hill hoping to improve his overall record for the season as he takes on his former team. The Mariners have lost 8 of the last 10 of Millwood’s starts. Not much gets under the skin of the North Carolian native, but perhaps something should.
His ERA has dropped from 3.69 to 4.28 since the beginning of July.
- Current Line: 4-10 / 4.28 ERA / 44 BB / 97 SO / 1.40 WHIP
- Iwakuma has never faced the Twins before
Game 124: RHP – Roberto Hernandez vs. RHP – Felix Hernandez
It is a battle of Hernandez’s, but if I was Roberto I would rather crawl into a cave and hide. Safeco field may be a pitcher friendly park, but this night will hold be the Supreme Court section celebrating the Mariners ace’s perfect game.
- Current line: 0-1 / 7.50 ERA / 0 BB / 0 SO / 1.67 WHIP.
What can be said about Felix other than all hail the king?
- Current Line: 11-5 / 2.60 ERA / 44 BB / 174 SO / 1.04 WHIP
Game 125: RHP – Zach McAllister vs. RHP – Hisashi Iwakuma
McA has pitched well in his first full season in the Majors. He primarily uses a combo of a fastball and curveball with an occasional slider or change up to throw off batters, but many of the M’s are good fastball hitters and 68.7% of the pitchers they see will be the heater.
But with a WHIP of 1.24 they better just hit them all out of the park.
- Current Line: 5-4 / 3.64 ERA / 21 BB / 75 SO / 1.24 WHIP
Hisashi Iwakumais definitely a better starter than reliever. He has 4 quality starts in last 6 and has thrown 2.37 during that stretch.
Ubaldo Jimenez vs. RHP – Kevin Millwood
- Current Line: 4-3 / 3.79 ERA / 32 BB / 64 SO / 1.31 WHIP
Indians vs. M’s Series Predictions
Game 1: It’s nice to have Millwood on this team. He’s a calming influence. Michael Saunders will be the hero on this day though. M’s win 5-2.
Prediction: Win (Indians 2 – Mariners 6)
Game 2: One more No-hitter sounds good doesn’t hit? I won’t get greedy. M’s win.
Prediction: Win (Indians 0 – Mariners 5)
Game 3: Iwakuma throws a 1 hitter. In Japan the number 1 means 1. M’s Sweep the series. Allow only 6 runs in 3 games.
Prediction: Loss (Indians 3 – Mariners 2)
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