Athletics vs Mariners Odds, Picks, and Probable Pitchers (Sep 29)

• The Seattle Mariners are home favorites over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night
• The A’s send Frankie Montas (13-9, 3.48) to the mound to face Logan Gilbert (6-5, 4.83)
• The odds and pitching matchups can be found below with a prediction

The red-hot Seattle Mariners try to stay hot — and in the mix of the American League Wild Card standings — against the Oakland Athletics at 10:10 pm ET on Wednesday on getaway day of a three-game series at T-Mobile Park.

Seattle beat Oakland 13-4 Monday in a game that saw Ty France go 4-for-4, drive in four runs and score three times, along with Mitch Haniger hit a pair of home runs. That was followed by a 4-2 victory Tuesday, the franchise’s 11th straight victory over its AL West rival.

Manager Scott Servais’ club has gone 17-8 in September and won ten of its last 12. Along with manager Bob Melvin’s A’s, the M’s are also battling New York, Boston, and Toronto for Wild Card spots. With a less-proven starter on the bump Wednesday — but still at home — Oakland-Seattle is a Pick ‘Em.

Athletics vs Mariners Odds

Odds as of August 28h at DraftKings.

Probable Pitchers

On the mound, Oakland’s Frankie Montas (13-9, 3.48) faces Logan Gilbert (6-5, 4.83).

Nineteen of Montas’ 31 starts this season have been of the quality variety. The 28-year-old has been a mainstay for Melvin — especially after All-Star Chris Bassitt went down August 17th following a line drive off his face.  Since then, Montas has been pretty much lights out.

He’s thrown six quality starts in seven outings and owns a 4-0 record with a 1.80 ERA, while the A’s have gone 5-2 during that stretch. Oakland owns a 17-14 record in his starts this season.

Montas vs Gilbert Key Stats

He’s 2-2 with a 3.48 ERA in nine career appearances (six starts) against the Mariners and 1-0 with a 2.40 ERA in three lifetime appearances (two starts) at T-Mobile Park. Montas shut down Houston in his last outing Friday, going seven innings and allowing two hits, an earned run along with three walks while striking out eight in an eventual 14-2 victory.

Frankie Montas, Dirty Splitters…and Swords. ⚔️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/PCBSZpMJv9

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 25, 2021

Montas is 6-3 with a 3.65 ERA in 14 road starts in 2021. In 20 night game starts this season, he has an 8-7 record and 4.12 ERA.

As for Gilbert, the 24-year-old has tossed six quality starts among 23 rotation turns in 2021. His overall performance this season has been what you might expect from a rookie who was inserted into the starting rotation May 13th after being selected in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft.

Gilbert has been especially strong in the final month of the season though, posting a 1-0 mark and 2.98 ERA, while Seattle has gone 4-1 in his starts. He’s coming off an outing last Friday against the Angels where he went 5.1 innings, allowing five hits, four earned runs and three walks while striking out four in a 6-5 win.

Just spitballing here, but IF the #Mariners wind up playing on Monday in a tiebreaker, it’s lined up for rookie Logan Gilbert to start.

— Larry Stone (@StoneLarry) September 28, 2021

The M’s still have some work to do to force a Wild Card play-in game (with the Wild Card game being played the following day), but the team has confidence in Gilbert can deliver down the stretch. Gilbert is 1-3 with a 4.91 ERA in 12 home starts this season. In 12 night game starts, he has a 1-2 record and 5.95 ERA.

Wild (Card) Battle

Prior to Tuesday’s action, Chad Pinder and Elvis Andrus were the only Oakland batters hitting above .300 in the final full month of the regular season. Pinder had gone 16-for-45 (.356) with one big fly and 10 RBI. It’s possible he will continue his hot-hitting ways Wednesday, going 2-for-4 against Gilbert this season with both hits being doubles.

Chad Pinder came into tonight hitting .500 as a pinch hitter this season…That’s not by accident. Raley was loving his slider tonight & it was good. Problem is Pinder was watching… & waiting… & he DID NOT MISS! pic.twitter.com/KtSAFU0i2T

— Dallas Braden (@DALLASBRADEN209) September 25, 2021

Four probable Oakland batters (Mark Canha, Matt Chapman, Seth Brown and Sean Murphy) have gone hitless against Gilbert (going a combined 0-for-17). But Matt Olson and Tony Kemp have gone a combined 5-for-11 (.455) against him. Plus, he has yet to face Josh Harrison and Yan Gomes — a pair of trade deadline acquisitions who can be dangerous.

Batting Average vs Starting Pitchers

From an offensive perspective, Seattle enters Wednesday’s tilt in a similar place to Oakland. Three hitters are over .300 in September for the M’s: Luis Torrens, JP Crawford and France — with France being the headliner.

Ty France has a .400 On-Base Percentage in the 2nd half. Best in the AL

— Gary Hill Jr. (@GaryHillJr) September 28, 2021

The 27-year-old is doing his part to get the franchise back in the postseason for the first time since 2001 (which is the longest postseason drought in North American professional sports). He also has gone 5-for-8 lifetime (including a pair of doubles) against Montas.

Athletics vs Mariners Pick

Seattle is at home and possess a capable lineup. But I’m not sure if I completely trust the M’s to get to Montas. The veteran right-hander has been filthy down the stretch and been solid against the Mariners in his career and while pitching in the Emerald City.

For those reasons, I’m fading the home team and going with Oakland in this spot.

The Pick: Athletics moneyline  (-110)