Seattle @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 1, 2014 ) Seattle 8, LA Angels 3

The Seattle Mariners have already equaled their victory total at Angel Stadium from last season and attempt to complete a three-game sweep when they conclude a series against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. The Mariners were 2-7 in Anaheim last season but have scored 18 runs in posting back-to-back victories to start the 2014 season. Los Angeles has scored just six runs while losing its first two games for the first time since 2001.

Seattle signed second baseman Robinson Cano in the offseason to pump life into the offense, and one concern is whether the Mariners have the proper protection behind him in the order. First baseman Justin Smoak has alleviated that worry in the first two games, driving in three runs in both games after having just two three-RBI outings all last season. Los Angeles was 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position on Tuesday – the hit being Raul Ibanez’s two-run homer – and is 1-for-13 overall in the series.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH James Paxton (2013: 3-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Angels LH Hector Santiago (4-9, 3.56)

The 25-year-old Paxton put together four strong starts in a late-season cameo last year and won a rotation spot with a strong spring. He allowed just 15 hits and struck out 21 in 24 innings last September in his first taste of the big leagues. Paxton went 8-11 with a 4.45 ERA at Triple-A Tacoma last season before his recall.

Santiago was acquired from the Chicago White Sox in the three-team offseason trade that sent Mark Trumbo to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He made 23 starts for Chicago last season – pitching in 34 overall games – and is prone to wildness (72 walks and 15 hit by pitches in 149 innings). Santiago has a 3.86 ERA in six career relief appearances against Seattle.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle has 12 extra-base hits (three homers, two triples, seven doubles) in the first two games of the series.

2. Angels 1B Albert Pujols is one RBI shy of 1,500 in his career.

3. Mariners SS Brad Miller hit two homers in Tuesday’s victory, the fourth two-homer game of his career despite having just 10 home runs overall in his short career.

PREDICTION: Angels 5, Mariners 4