Baltimore Orioles vs Seattle Mariners series preview

After losing a series at home to the Houston Astros, the Orioles embark on a nine game, 11 day west coast road trip. The first series of that road trip will be against the Seattle Mariners, right in the middle of the AL Wild Card race.

Baltimore Orioles begin west coast trip with series against Seattle Mariners

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT

The Mariners enter this series red hot, having won seven straight games and nine of 10 to catapult themselves back into the AL playoff picture. They are just two games back of a playoff spot thanks to sweeps of the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Angels and a series win over the Boston Red Sox.

SEASON SERIES

The Orioles and Mariners met at Camden Yards near the end of June this year. The Orioles won the series, rebounding from a 13-1 loss in the series opener to win game two 6-4 and game three 3-2 to spoil the Mariners road trip.

PITCHING PROBABLES

Friday, 8/11: Kyle Gibson vs Luis Castillo

Gibson, fresh off his 100th career win and 10 years of service time, gets the ball in game one. He allowed five runs in three innings against the Mariners earlier this year and has a 4.21 ERA and 1.584 WHIP in 14 starts and 77 innings.

His latest start came against the Mets, earning his 100th win by allowing three runs on 4 hits and one walk while striking out nine in seven innings. Gibson has a 4.50 ERA, 3.74 FIP, and 1.279 WHIP in 24 starts and 140 innings under his belt.

The Orioles lineup will face Castillo for the first time this season. The hard throwing righty enters this series with a 3.21 ERA, 3.92 FIP, and 1.049 WHIP, averaging 10.2 strikeouts per nine and 2.2 walks per nine in 137 1/3 innings and 23 starts.

Saturday, 8/12: Cole Irvin vs George Kirby

The Orioles are shifting to a six man rotation for the time being, inserting Irvin back into a starters role. His last start came on July 7 against the Minnesota Twins, with Irvin making six appearances out of the bullpen since then.

So far in August, Irvin has allowed one run in three innings of work out of the bullpen, giving him a 5.44 ERA, 4.31 FIP, and 1.500 WHIP in 48 innings and 16 games, eight being starts. Against the Mariners in his career, Irvin has allowed 25 runs in 25 2/3 innings, good for a 8.42 ERA in six starts.

Kirby has faced the Orioles this year, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk in 6 1/3 innings, getting the loss. He has a 3.32 ERA and 1.047 WHIP on the season, averaging a league leading 0.9 walks per nine and 8.2 strikeouts per nine in 135 2/3 innings and 22 starts.

Sunday, 8/13: Kyle Bradish vs Bryce Miller

Bradish starts the series finale for the Orioles. He faced the Mariners in June, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks in seven strong innings. He had a short outing his last time out, lasting just 4 2/3 innings against the New York Mets.

Overall, Bradish's second season has been a successful one. He has a 3.19 ERA, 3.78 FIP, and 1.141 WHIP, averaging 0.9 home runs per nine, 2.6 walks per nine, and 8.3 strikeouts per nine in 115 2/3 innings and 21 starts.

The rookie Miller gets the start for the Mariners. In his start against the Orioles in June, he allowed three runs on six hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings. Overall, Miller has a 4.20 ERA, 3.95 FIP, and 1.039 WHIP over 16 starts and 85 2/3 innings, averaging 1.4 home runs per nine and 8.9 strikeouts per nine.

This is a good chance for the Orioles to bounce back after a tough series at home against one of the AL's best and continue to fend off the Rays in the AL East race. Let's play some ball!