This was supposed to be a layup for the Mariners. Then the White Sox decided to be frisky. Chicago has taken 5 of its last 6 series and is 7-3 over its last 10, and now they get a Seattle club that's dropped 6 of 9 and just learned Cal Raleigh is shut down for another week with the oblique.
The pitching matchup is the whole game. Bryce Miller is making his second start of the year after missing two months with an oblique strain — he gave up 2 earned over 5.1 against Houston in his debut, which is exactly the kind of cautious leash you'd expect from a guy still building back up. Anthony Kay, meanwhile, walked in with a 5.70 ERA and hasn't gotten through the 5th in any of his last 3 starts. Sox Machine has him reworking the cutter to give hitters something other than a four-seamer to slug .684 against.
The market is treating Seattle like a comfortable home favorite, but the lean on the moneyline is doing real work — that's a number built on Miller's pedigree, not his current arm strength. Note the handle/bet split on the run line: public money is heavier on the Mariners -1.5 while DK tickets are split closer to even. Somebody's wrong.
The injury sheets on both sides read like a CVS receipt, and this is where it actually tilts the game. Seattle is without Raleigh, Brendan Donovan got a PRP injection for his groin and is 2-3 weeks from baseball activity, and Victor Robles is still rehabbing. Chicago is down its starting catcher Kyle Teel for another 3-6 weeks after he sprained his LCL on a rehab assignment, plus Austin Hays and Everson Pereira from the outfield.
- Day-To-DayMason Adams RP — The White Sox announced that Adams underwent successful Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILKyle Teel C — Teel (hamstring) is expected to be sidelined an additional 3-to-6 weeks after suffering a sprained LCL in his right knee during a rehab game with Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILAustin Hays LF — Hays (calf) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILEverson Pereira RF — The White Sox placed Pereira on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a right pectoral strain.
- 60-Day-ILPrelander Berroa RP — Berroa is dealing with right elbow inflammation and will have his rehab stint paused, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILMike Vasil RP — The White Sox transferred Vasil (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday.
- 60-Day-ILTanner Murray LF — The White Sox transferred Murray (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Monday.
- 60-Day-ILBrooks Baldwin LF — The White Sox transferred Baldwin (elbow) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.
- Day-To-DayTeddy McGraw SP — McGraw is working his way back from right elbow issues, Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline reports.
- 10-Day-ILBrendan Donovan 3B — Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said Sunday that Donovan will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection for his strained left groin as well as his adductor and is expected to resume baseball activity in 2-to-3 weeks, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILCal Raleigh C — The Mariners will shut Raleigh (oblique) down for a week before re-evaluating him, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
- 10-Day-ILVictor Robles RF — Robles (pectoral) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.
- 10-Day-ILWill Wilson 3B — The Mariners placed Wilson on the 10-day injured list Saturday due to a fractured left thumb.
- 15-Day-ILMatt Brash RP — Brash (lat) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILGabe Speier RP — The Mariners placed Speier on the 15-day injured list Monday with left shoulder inflammation, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
- 60-Day-ILMiles Mastrobuoni 3B — Seattle transferred Mastrobuoni (calf) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.
The honest read: a depleted Mariners lineup leaning on a pitcher who threw 5.1 innings 5 days ago, against a White Sox team that's been the hottest version of itself in years. Seattle should still win this game. They just shouldn't be running you off the road to lay -162.