Preview: Seattle Mariners (11-16) vs. Baltimore Orioles (15-10)

"From day one I’ve said, I’m comfortable here and I like this place, there’s just something about this place I like," he said. "I don’t know. I can’t explain it."

Joe Saunders on Safeco Field following his defeat of the Houston Astros, via Ryan Divish.

--

The Seattle Mariners broadcast will talk ad nauseam about Saunders' stellar record at Safeco Field, one that he's begun adding on to as a member of the home team. In 11 starts he's posted a 1.71 ERA, held hitters to a .591 OPS.

The park is a good fit for Saunders -- there is a reason the Mariners went out and got him, after all -- and the trend has continued this season, providing a talking point to bored broadcasters. This season he's gotten worked over at Oakland, at Texas and at Houston, while spinning gems at home against the same Astros and Rangers.

Is Safeco Field the magic ingredient that transforms Saunders from "hold on to your butts" to "you are now free to move about the cabin"? Is it simply the dimensions? Is it a confidence thing? Or is it that in all but one of those starts he's faced either the Mariners or the Astros?

Whatever it is, let's hope that the narrative continues as Saunders needs to provide some value with potential replacements Erasmo Ramirez and Danny Hultzen on the shelf.

On the other side, groundballing lefty Zach Britton gets his first big league start of the season. Another trend the Mariners will hope continues is Britton's inability to retire big league hitters (May 2011 complete game shutout against the Mariners aside).

Series Preview: Q&A with Camden Chat
Time: 7:10 pm PDT
Location: Safeco Field, Seattle, WA
Television: ROOT Sports