This will already be the 7th meeting between the Mariners and the Athletics and I expect the Mariners to take the rubber game int his match up. Both are very similar teams but in my opinion the Mariners have the better hitting team and they are of course at home here today. Jesus Montero is a big reason why and he's got an 8 game hitting streak and had a big day yesterday and is now hitting .323. Figgins/Ackley have also been key at the top of the line up hitting .320 and .308 in the 6 games vs. the A's this year. A's are now 17-35 in their last 52 as a road dog. While the Mariners hitters are enjoying success the A's are not led by their big off season acquisition of Cespedes who is in the middle of a 2-26 slump.
Blacke Beavan will make the start and he had a 3.69 ERA during day starts. I think he has some revenge on his mind as he didn't play well against the A's. Small sample and I was thoroughly impressed with his 3.48 ERA this spring and his 6.1 IP 1 ER at Texas, a hitters ball park against one of the best offenses in the AL. Beavan hardly walks people and if the A's don't get on base via the walk it's a real challenge for them to get runs. Godfrey goes for the A's and is off a 5.09 ERA this Spring. I don't like stats from last year and I don't see him going deep here with Cooper behind the plate where the A's are just 8-20 in their last 28 with him there.
Giants bullpen is in real dismay. Not only are they currently 27th with a 5.00 ERA they just lost Brian Wilson for probably the season. Pittsburgh is #2 thus far with a 2.01 ERA. Vogelsong a real question mark comes off the DL to pitch after back spasms had a 5.91 ERA vs. the Pirates last year over 2 starts while Kevin Correia has a 3.67 ERA over 5 career starts vs. the Giants, none last year. Correia posted a 2.64 ERA on the road in 14 starts and April seems to be his best month posting a 2.90 ERA last year. He's off to a good start after giving up just 1 ER to the Dodgers.
