Seattle @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 24, 2011 ) Seattle 9, Cleveland 2
THE STORY: Thanks to a rainout four months ago, the Seattle Mariners will make a one-day trip to Cleveland. Monday's game is the makeup of a contest that was originally scheduled for May 15. The Mariners have lost 12 of their last 17 games and dropped two of three at home to the Texas Rangers over the weekend. The Indians finished a 5-5 road trip with a sweep in Minnesota, which brought their overall record back to .500. The Indians have won five of eight in the season series, but the Mariners took three of four at Progressive Field in August.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Root Sports (Seattle), STO (Cleveland).
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Charlie Furbush (3-9, 4.86 ERA) vs. Indians LH David Huff (2-5, 3.40 ERA).
Furbush has dropped his last five starts and yielded 19 runs in 26 2/3 innings. The rookie has made one appearance against the Indians, which came in June while he was pitching for the Detroit Tigers. Furbush allowed a run in 1 2/3 innings and took the loss. He's 2-6 with a 5.77 ERA in nine games with Seattle.
Huff has lost his last three starts and hasn't won since Aug. 29. He gave up eight runs in four innings against Texas in his last start. An error made only three of the runs earned, but Huff certainly didn't help matters by giving up a grand slam to Josh Hamilton after the miscue. Huff is 0-2 in two career starts against the Mariners and has allowed eight earned runs in 8 1/3 innings.
ABOUT THE MARINERS (63-89): Shortstop Brendan Ryan has shown signs he's a part of Seattle's future, but he can't stay healthy. He's been out since Tuesday with tightness in his neck and could be sidelined for several more days. Ryan missed most of August with a sore left shoulder and it's unclear when he will return from his most recent injury. First baseman Justin Smoak (groin) and outfielder Casper Wells (flu) could return on Monday.
ABOUT THE INDIANS (75-75): Cleveland's final homestand consists of nine games in seven days. Monday was originally scheduled to be an off-day, but that changed with the makeup game. Thanks to two more rainouts, the Indians will play a day-night doubleheader Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox and another day-night affair Saturday against the Minnesota Twins. Playing so many games in a short period of time will be a test for the pitching staff, which has shown signs of wearing down.
FINAL PITCH: The Mariners flew east following Sunday's home game. After spending about 18 hours in Cleveland, they will fly to Minnesota for a three game-series and then to Texas for three more games before finishing the season at home next week.