MLB Betting: The Seattle Mariners face another must-win game on Monday as they visit the Toronto Blue Jays. Realistically the Mariners probably can’t afford any more losses if they expect to make the playoffs. They should have the pitching edge on Monday with James Paxton expected to get the start against J.A. Happ. Here is a look at the matchup and MLB picks.
Probable Pitchers – Paxton vs. Happ
James Paxton took the loss last time out as he allowed three runs and four hits against the Angels. He really pitched better than his overall numbers indicate as he shut out the Angels through six before allowing a run in the seventh and then he left the game with two outs and two runners on base. The bullpen allowed the other two runs to score. Paxton is 6-3 on the season with a 2.06 ERA.
J.A. Happ comes into this game at 9-11 with a 4.35 ERA. He hasn’t done anything of note lately as he is 0-3 in his last three starts with a 4.26 ERA. He has thrown just 10 innings in his career against the Mariners with an 0-1 record and a 9.00 ERA.
Game Notes
The Mariners have actually been much better on the road this season than at home so they should be road favorites in this contest. If the Mariners had a winning home mark they would already be in a playoff spot. The team leads the league in ERA at three runs per game but they don’t score many runs as they are 17th in runs per game. The Blue Jays have been pretty good at home this season with a 41-33 mark but they are just playing out the string as they are out of playoff contention. The team is 5th in runs scored per game but just 24th in runs allowed.
Series Notes
The Mariners have won six of the last 10 meetings with four of the last five going over. The teams have split their last 10 in Toronto with three of the last four going over.
MLB Picks
We’ll look for the Mariners to win this one with Paxton on the mound.
