The Los Angeles Angels (70-62) and Seattle Mariners (64-69) will continue an American League West series on Saturday afternoon at Safeco Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 4:05 ET on FOX

Los Angeles Angels at Seattle Mariners

Los Angeles was able to keep pace with the Baltimore Orioles and Oakland Athletics in the AL Wild-Card race, sitting 3.5 games back in that situation after earning a 9-1 road victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday.  The Angels starting rotation is hoping to turn things around, posting a 5.71 ERA since July 3, which has resulted in the club going 17-25 in that span.  Los Angeles is 9-5 on the road when the total is 7 or less, with the “under” going 9-5 in those contests.

Angels starting pitcher Ervin Santana (7-11, 5.45 ERA) had his personal three-game winning streak snapped last time out, allowing four runs and five hits in seven innings in a 5-2 setback on the road to the Detroit Tigers.  The right-hander is 4-5 with a 6.06 ERA in 14 road outings, surrendering 18 home runs in 78.2 combined innings.  In 28 career games versus the Mariners, Santana has tallied an 11-7 record and 3.99 ERA, including a no-decision effort in a 6-5 home win on Aug. 10.

Seattle came into this series with plenty of confidence due to enjoying its best 16-game home stretch in club history, but memories of that run faded quickly in allowing three first-inning runs last night.  The Mariners still must be respected in this spot, winning 15 of their last 17 home games.  Seattle is 18-36 in September the last two years, while going 5-15 when revenging a home loss of six runs or more.

Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (13-5, 2.43 ERA) is making another serious run at an AL Cy Young Award, as he comes off a 1-0 road win over the Minnesota Twins.  The right-hander is 7-3 with a 1.98 ERA in 14 home outings, issuing 20 walks and striking out 111 batters in 104.1 combined frames.  In 27 lifetime appearances versus the Angels, Hernandez has compiled a disappointing 6-10 mark and 3.85 ERA, including a no-decision effort in a 6-5 road loss on Aug. 10.

Sports bettors will likely back the Angels due to their 4-1 mark in Santana’s last five road starts in this series, while the Mariners are 3-9 in Hernandez’s last 12 outings versus the Halos.

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