Boston @ Seattle preview
T-Mobile Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 1, 2012 ) Boston 2, Seattle 1
The Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners both reside in last place of their respective divisions, but that's all they seem to share in common. The reeling Red Sox have dropped a season-high six in a row to begin their nine-game road trip. With results like that, even the most ardent Boston-area fan will likely shift his attention toward the New England Patriots. A woeful 20-2 throttling Friday by the Oakland Athletics served as a tremendous lowlight for the Red Sox, who have been outscored 54-15 during the losing skid.
By comparison, Seattle won for the 12th time in 18 outings on Sunday as Jesus Montero and Carlos Peguero belted solo homers in a 2-1 triumph over the Los Angeles Angels. While it's gloom and doom in Beantown, the atmosphere is decidedly different in the Pacific Northwest. Then again, Seattle has won nine of its last 11 at home to keep its fans happy.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), ROOT (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Clay Buchholz (11-4, 4.50 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Jason Vargas (13-9, 3.90)
Buchholz rebounded from a brutal outing against Los Angeles to toss seven solid innings in a no-decision Tuesday in a return outing against the Angels. The 28-year-old is being looked as the potential ace of the staff for 2013 - and a strong finish this season can go a long way toward gaining his teammates' confidence. Buchholz won his lone career decision versus the Mariners.
Vargas has struggled in his last two outings, permitting six runs in both while yielding five total homers. The 29-year-old took the loss in Wednesday's 10-0 throttling by Minnesota. Vargas is just 1-2 in his career versus Boston, although he tossed eight solid innings in a no-decision July 1. The Red Sox went on to post a 2-1 triumph.
WALK-OFFS
1. Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia, who is riding a 13-game hitting streak, is just 2-for-12 with a homer in his career versus Vargas.
2. Seattle 2B Dustin Ackley has seven multiple-hit games during his last 17 contests.
3. Monday's contest caps a rare three-game stretch of home day games at Safeco Field. The last time the Mariners played three consecutive home day games was Sept. 4-6, 1999 - against the Red Sox.